The potential of CRISPR to help lower mortality in bodybuilding

Abstract

Bodybuilders often use anabolic androgen steroids to gain muscle but these substances are harmful to an individual’s health as they cause unrestricted muscle growth. This unrestricted growth leads to an increase in cardiac muscle which can cause heart disease and death. Other hormone replicators, like human growth hormone, are also often used by bodybuilders and similarly promote uncontrolled muscle growth in the heart which can lead to death. I hypothesized that CRISPR technology could make the MSTN gene nonfunctional as an alternative treatment to hormone therapies for muscle growth. This approach would not promote global uncontrolled muscle growth, instead promoting skeletal muscle growth specifically. Gene therapy that inhibits muscle growth genes would benefit not only those trying to gain muscle but also those who suffer from various muscular degenerative health issues. However, gene editing carries significant uncontrollable risks, as there is a risk of off-target cutting which can lead to detrimental effects to one’s health. Additionally, the cost associated with gene therapy is high.