WADA or World Anti-Doping Agency launched a new weapon to tackle the menace of drug cheats in London Olympics. It is for the first time a high-end new test for Human Growth Hormone (HGH), have been introduced at the Olympic Games.
Why this new test has been introduced ?
- Earlier the detection of HGH was not possible by conventional urine analysis.
- Also there was a need to have test that could differentiate b/w the natural and synthetic HGH.
- The new test is a bio-marker test which can differentiate b/w naturally produced HGH and synthetic one.
- The test will supplement the already existing tests for HGH.
What is HGH?
- HGH is growth stimulating peptide hormone. It is released by the somatotroph cells within the lateral wings of the anterior pituitary gland.
- Somatotropin (STH) refers to the growth hormone 1 produced naturally in animals, whereas the term somatropin refers to growth hormone produced by recombinant DNA technology, and is abbreviated "HGH" in humans.
The use of HGH is banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).