The threat of gene doping in equestrian sports and the misuse of gene therapy have emerged as potential threats to sports performance. Although there have been no registered cases of this type of doping in equine sports, the possibility remains a significant concern.
In 2004, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) officially recognized gene doping as a threat and included it in its prohibited list. Gene doping works by altering a horse’s DNA to enhance its physical abilities. Scientists can modify genes that control muscle growth, endurance, or oxygen utilization, creating an artificially superior horse. One method involves using CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats), a tool that allows scientists to edit genes like a high-tech pair of scissors, switching off traits that limit muscle growth. Another method involves injecting special genetic instructions into a horse’s body, telling it to produce more of certain proteins that improve strength or endurance.
This practice has recently made headlines with Argentina unveiling the world’s first gene-edited polo horses. Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, Kheiron Biotech, a biotechnology firm based in Buenos Aires, has successfully created five genetically enhanced horses. The horses are descendants of Polo Pureza, a champion mare inducted into the Polo Horse Breeders Hall of Fame. These horses were genetically modified to enhance muscle growth, endurance, and speed, with the goal of surpassing the original mare’s abilities. Born in late 2024, these gene-edited foals are currently under close veterinary supervision in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina.
Unlike regular doping, which eventually fades, these genetic modifications are permanent and are extremely difficult to detect. The consequences of gene doping extend beyond unfair competition. Horses that undergo genetic modification may develop health issues, including heart problems, muscle problems, joint pain, or a higher risk of injury. The long-term effects are still largely unknown, making these interventions a dangerous gamble. Unlike human athletes, horses have no choice in these modifications, raising ethical concerns about their treatment and welfare.
Regulatory bodies like the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) are working to prevent gene doping, but detection remains a major challenge. Scientists are developing tests to identify unnatural genetic changes, including tracking unusual gene activity and analyzing biological markers in horses over time. However, as gene-editing technologies advance, staying ahead of those who seek to exploit them will require continuous effort and collaboration. Protecting horses and maintaining fair competition should be the priority, ensuring that future generations of equine athletes are not subjected to harmful genetic manipulation.
As we consider the future of gene-edited animals in sports, one must ask: What is the ethical standing of such genetic modifications, and should they be allowed in competition? At what point do we cross a line between advancing science and maintaining fairness in sports? With the growing possibilities of genetic modification, we must question where we draw the line between innovation and ethics, and whether such advancements should be allowed in competition.
References
Azzazy, H. M. E., Mansour, M. M. H., & Christenson, R. H. (2005). Doping in the recombinant era: Strategies and counterstrategies. Clinical Biochemistry, 38(11), 959–965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2005.09.007
Bhardwaj, A. (2025, February 6). Super polo horses created with gene modifications in a world’s first. Interesting Engineering. https://interestingengineering.com/science/world-first-gene-edited-horses
National Human Genome Research Institute. (2020). The Human Genome Project. National Human Genome Research Institute. https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project
Puchalska, M., & Witkowska-Piłaszewicz, O. (2024). Gene doping in horse racing and equine sports: Current landscape and future perspectives. Equine Veterinary Journal, 10.1111/evj.14418. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14418
Tozaki, T., & Hamilton, N. A. (2021). Control of gene doping in human and horse sports. Gene Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41434-021-00267-5
