Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Fight against Gene Doping

Abstract

This article examines issues related to the protection of human rights in the context of the fight against the use of gene doping. The fact of using gene therapy in relation to a person already includes a significant range of potential ethical problems, including probable health risks, the degree of awareness of the patient’s consent to perform certain manipulations, as well as the long-term consequences for a person’s life, and, which is equally important, for future generations. At the same time, the problems of the use of gene doping in relation to athletes significantly aggravates and complicates the process of building regulatory approaches. The article notes the particular susceptibility of the athlete's right to health care in the context of the problem of gene doping. The paper studies the features of the implementation and protection of the human right to protect health and the right to privacy, including legislation aspect of biomedicine and bioethics, as well as taking into account the difficulties associated with the identification of the use of gene doping. Conclusions regarding possible areas for improving legal regulation in this area, among which, strengthening or detailing the legal regulation of the provision of high-tech medical care, properly informing athletes, coaches and other sports professionals about the possible risks of applying genetic engineering methods to humans, proper regulation of testing procedures, toughening criminal liability and expansion of the subject matter of such crimes are formulated.