Steroids

by Aharon W. Zorea

Overview

A thorough, balanced examination of the controversies on the therapeutic and non-therapeutic use of steroids that covers both legal medical therapy and illegal performance enhancement.

The discussions regarding the ethical, medical, and social controversies surrounding steroid use are as heated as the drugs themselves are powerful. Steroids comprehensively addresses the separate debates over steroid use in therapeutic medical treatments, sports performance enhancement, and cosmetic lifestyle choices. The contents provide balanced coverage of the complex positive and negative implications involved with using these "ingredients of youth" to evade the common ailments of old age and to overcome some of the limitations of natural biology. This book will be invaluable to students of not only health and exercise sciences, sports and sport-related fields, and medical science, but also those researching social and ethical questions involved with the use of steroids in related fields. For example, the book may be used by sociology students investigating social aspects of sports, health policy, and public role models; psychology students focusing on the role of self-image and mental health; and political science students researching public health policy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440802997
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/25/2014
Series:	Health and Medical Issues Today
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Aharon W. Zorea, PhD, is associate professor of history at the University of Wisconsin–Richland.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword ix

Introduction xi

Section I Overview and Historical Background 1

1 Basics of Biochemistry' and Steroids 3

Steroids and Hormones in Human Physiology 4

Overview of Steroid Chemistry 8

Nonhormone Steroids 12

Hormone Steroids 17

Conclusion 28

2 Historical Background of Therapeutic Steroids 29

Of Magic, Holistic Remedy, and Other Prescientific Approaches to Medicine 30

Of Science, Technology, and Social Engineering 35

Steroids, Synthetics, and the Biochemical Revolution 37

Pills, Drugs, and the Chemical Culture 41

Conclusion 48

3 Historical Background of Performance-Enhancing Steroids 51

The Male Hormone 52

A Parallel History of Ergogenic Aids in Competitive Sports 58

Testosterone as a Scientific Edge in Competition 61

Public Reaction 65

The Race between Evasion and Detection: Testosterone, Blood Doping, hGH, and Designer Steroids 70

The Will to Police: WADA Regulations and Legal Prohibitions 75

Conclusion 80

Section II Contemporary Issues and Debates 89

4 Individual Decision Making for Anabolic and Catabolic Steroids 91

Why Individual Rights in Medical Decision Making? 92

Influence of Health Care Insurance 94

Marketing Pressure from Pharmaceutical Industrial Complex 98

Others Factors Limiting Individual Decision Making 103

Conclusion 109

5 Public Reaction, Regulation, and Control 111

Limitations to Individual Decision Making 113

Triggers of Government Involvement 114

Arguments for and against Legality of Anabolic Steroids for Nontherapeutic Uses 124

Federal Issues 129

Conclusion 131

6 Anti-Doping within Organizations 135

The Role of Associations in Identifying Cultural Priorities 137

The Ideology behind Anti-Doping Policies 138

The Influence of Sports as an Entertainment Industry 145

WADA and USADA-The Search for Independence 149

Professional Sports Associations 152

Collegiate and High School Associations 154

Other Non-Sports-Related Associations 162

Conclusion 172

Section III Primary Documents 175

A Scientific Accounts of Anabolic and Catabolic Steroids 177

Excerpt from C.E. Brown-Sequard, The Elixir of Life 177

Adolf Windaus, "Constitution of Sterols and Their

Connection with Other Substances Occurring in Nature" 181

Paul de Kruif, The Male Hormone 184

B Documents Related to Legal Sanctions 189

Controlled Substances Act 189

Abuse of Anabolic Steroids and Their Precursors by Adolescent Amateur Athletes 193

C Anti-Doping Policies from Associations 197

International Amateur Athletic Federation 197

Olympic Movement Medical Code 198

2012-2013 NCAA List of Banned Drugs 199

University Interscholastic League (UIL) Anti-Doping Contract 200

University Interscholastic League (UIL) Steroids Testing Site Coordinator Manual 202

Timeline for Steroid-Related Issues (Anabolic and Catabolic) 207

Glossary 213

Further Reading 221

Index 225

Editorial Reviews

Part of Greenwood/ABC-CLIO's series, Health and Medical Issues Today series, Steroids provides a balanced examination of the controversy surrounding their use in sports, sexual health, and aging, through a scientific and ethical lens. . . . What makes this book stand out, however, is its clear explanation of the science behind steroids, including their biochemistry, side effects, differences, and therapeutic and performance-enhancing uses.” —ARBA

“This modest handbook, part of the Health and Medical Issues Today series, offers an acceptable overview and introduction to steroid use, an effective explanation of the basic biochemistry of steroid hormones, and familiar historical background on therapeutic and performance-enhancing effects. . . . Summing Up: Recommended. . . . General readers and lower-division undergraduates.” —Choice

From the Publisher