Andre

__Directions__: Instead of posting on this page, go ahead and type your first and final drafts by using the editing tools on this page. For example, to get started, type in the first draft of your first argumentative paper today. The FINAL draft will be due Friday, Oct. 4. Or, if you don't want the whole class to see it, you can email your paper to me: tconrad@weber.edu.

Andre Santos September 20, 2013 WSU - English 2010 Dr. Conrad

Steroid Use in Professional Sports

The use of anabolic steroids in the world of professional sports has been widely debated for many decades. Several arguments are over the topics of health risks involved, if the advantages of taking steroids are unfair, if taking them compromises sportsmanship, and the nature of examples the athletes set for others in the world of sports. Those who are against the legalization and use of anabolic steroids in professional sports argue that it is a risk to the user’s health. Gary Becker, PhD, Professor in the Departments of Economics, Sociology, and the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago, stated that the “negative effect on long-term health… is the main rationale for trying to ban steroids… from athletic competitions.” Several of these health risks include kidney damage, adrenal crisis, liver damage, psychosis, testicular atrophy, decreased fertility, gynecomastia, and sudden death. People who agree with the legalization of steroids in professional sports debate that it is the athlete’s choice if one accept the risks in order to attain the added benefits. Robert Simon PhD believe that if everyone else has the right to make their own choices and accept the consequences, athletes that want to use steroids should be given the same right. Simon said that, “If we should not forbid smokers from rising their health by smoking, why should we prohibit that stars or weightlifters from taking risks with their health in pursuit of their goals?” Other steroid supporters consider it a right to choose from themselves. They defend that steroids should be legal and that athletes should be able to do what they prefer and face the consequences, whether they not take them and be at a disadvantage, or take them and use it to their advantage and face the risks of long-term health issues. Those not in favor of professional athletes using steroids debate that steroids give unfair advantages to those who use them over those who do not. Richard Pound, BCI, former President of the World Anti-Doping Agency stated that, “Athletes don’t take these drugs to level the playing field, they do it to get an advantage. And if everyone else is doing what they’re doing, then instead of taking 10 grams or 10 cc’s or whatever it is, they’ll take 20 or 30 or 40, and a vicious circle simply gets bigger. The end game will be an activity that is increasingly violent, extreme, and meaningless, practiced by a class of chemical and or genetic mutant gladiators.” If one takes steroids, it becomes addicting and its user will never cease to increase in dosage, causing steroid use to become increasingly dangerous. Steroids and other forms of doping take away the spirit of sport. The World Anti-Doping Agency stated that “The spirit of sport is the celebration of the human spirit, body and mind, and is characterized by… ethics, fair play and honesty, health… fun and joy… respect for rules and laws, respect for self and other participants, courage, community and solidarity,”. Using steroids or doping in any fashion violates these characteristics because they are against the rules and if they are being used are being hidden and the users are not being honest, and cause health issues. In conclusion, over the debate between legalizing and not legalizing steroids and their use in professional sports, many arguments have valid points on each side. The arguments include topics such as involved health risks, the possibility of unfair advantages by those using steroids, compromised sportsmanship, the spirit of the sport, and the examples they set fir younger athletes. I believe that the use and legalization of anabolic steroids is a debate that has continued for many decades and may not be decided upon for many more, if ever.