Human growth hormone (HGH) is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration. Athletes have used HGH to try to enhance their athletic performance and body composition. However, the legal status of HGH for athletes is complex and nuanced.
The primary governing bodies that regulate the use of performance enhancing substances by athletes are the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the major sports leagues.
- WADA has banned the use of HGH by athletes in organized sports. HGH is specifically named on WADA's List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. Therefore, the use of HGH by athletes competing in events governed by WADA anti-doping rules (like the Olympics and many professional sports) would constitute an anti-doping violation and could lead to penalties like suspension.
- The major sports leagues, like the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL have also instituted policies banning HGH. Athletes competing professionally could face suspensions or bans if found to have used HGH.
However, there are some important caveats and exceptions regarding HGH:
- HGH can be used legally if an athlete applies for and receives a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) from their sport's governing body. A TUE provides permission for an athlete to use a prescribed substance for the treatment of a legitimate medical condition. However, TUE's for HGH are rarely granted.
- Many countries allow individuals to legally obtain and use HGH if it is prescribed by a medical doctor. So athletes could potentially use HGH legally outside of their sport if they have a true growth hormone deficiency or other medical condition warranting a prescription. But sport-specific bans would still apply.
- Some major sports leagues have thresholds for what constitutes a violation. For example, a blood test indicating more than 4.9:1 ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone used to be required for punishment in MLB. This left potential room for some use before crossing that limit. However, policies are evolving and thresholds are lowering.
- Enforcing complete bans of substances like HGH comes with challenges around detectability in testing. Detection windows can be narrow, creating opportunities for cycling usage and timing dosages. This allows some potential leeway depending on testing frequency and limitations. However testing is improving and policies are stricter.
In summary - human growth hormone is considered a banned, performance enhancing substance in virtually all organized athletic competitions. While some technical loopholes or qualifying use cases exist, in practice it is considered an
illegal substance for athletes in-competition and failure of a doping test would carry penalties. Strict sporting policies reflect zero-tolerance for performance enhancing substances to uphold ethics of fair play.
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