Context:
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recently authorized India’s National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) to create an Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU).
Athlete Biological Passport (ABP):
- Advanced anti-doping tool that monitors an athlete’s biological markers over time to detect doping indirectly by observing variations in biological parameters.
- Purpose – To ensure fair play in sports and protect clean athletes by identifying athletes requiring further attention through intelligent and timely interpretation of Passport data.
The fundamental principle of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is to monitor selected biological variables over time that indirectly reveal the effects of doping, rather than attempting to detect the doping substance or method itself.
- Key Features –
- Longitudinal Monitoring: The ABP monitors selected biological variables over time, creating a longitudinal profile for each athlete based on statistical tools that utilize data from previous samples to predict individual limits or reference ranges for future samples.
- Modules: The ABP currently includes 3 modules:
- Haematological Module: Collects information on markers of blood doping, such as hematocrit, hemoglobin, and reticulocytes.
- Steroidal Module: Collects information on markers of steroid doping measured in urine and/or serum samples, such as testosterone and epitestosterone.
- Endocrine Module: Collects information on markers of human growth hormone (hGH) doping.
- Detection: If any data from a sample falls outside the athlete’s reference range, it may indicate doping or a pathological condition.
- Targeted Testing: The ABP can be used to conduct targeted, conventional anti-doping tests on athletes with abnormal profiles.
- Corroborating Evidence: The ABP can also be used as corroborating evidence of doping during an anti-doping rule violation case.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA):
- An international organization co-founded by the governments of over 140 nations along with the International Olympic Committee to promote, coordinate, and monitor the fight against drugs in sports.
- Headquarters – Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Key Activities –
- Scientific Research: WADA conducts and supports scientific research to develop new and improved methods for detecting doping substances and methods.
- Education: WADA provides education and training programs for athletes, coaches, and other stakeholders to promote clean sport and prevent doping.
- Anti-Doping Code: WADA develops and monitors the implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code, which sets out the rules and regulations for anti-doping efforts worldwide.
- Prohibited List: WADA publishes an annual list of prohibited substances and methods, which designates what is banned both in- and out-of-competition.
- Compliance Monitoring: WADA monitors the compliance of anti-doping organizations with the World Anti-Doping Code and takes action against non-compliant signatories
Source: TOI
Previous Year Question
With reference to the carbon nanotubes, consider the following statement:
1. They can be used as the carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.
2. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of the human body.
3. They can be used in biochemical sensors.
4. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)