The 'Roid Report for the week of November 9

by Gary Gaffney, MD, Steroid Nation

Interesting week in the doping world, beginning with the HGH summit in California. Reports indicated that the blood test for HGH continues to be developed (read between the lines that current tests are not sensitive nor reliable), even using nanotechnology. Other reports at the summit -- attended by US professional leagues -- endorse the fact that HGH can be anabolic in the right combination with other anabolic drugs. One league not there was the UK soccer league, which announced tough new anti-doping measures, not well received by UK footballers.

Meanwhile Dr. Ramon Scruggs, old school steroids and HGH prescriber to the pro stars (Tory Glaus, Scott Schoeneweis), found himself indicted in an Ohio case where the doc prescribed the juice to Cleveland firemen and police. Is Dennis Kucinich the only Ohioan not on steroids?

The new blood doping drug CERA EPO continues to show up in European cyclist's blood, as the Swiss government believes that banning energy drinks like Red Bull might stop the bleeding of doping. Meanwhile America's new leader Barack Obama appointed the man behind the Congressional steroids hearings to a key administrative post.

Lastly, a story out of Pennsylvania covers how the brave new world of gene doping will enter the sports world -- by dogging it. A new gene therapy technique in introduce myostatin blocking genes to enhance elderly dog's muscles (think of it). No doubt once available, the technique will be hijacked by jocks. Get ready for the 100 home run season, and the sub-9.0 100 meter. It's all dope.

Coming up this week: The NFL addresses huge linemen who used a woman's weight loss supplement, spiked with a diuretic (water loss drug). Who will be pissed off at week's end?