Scientific integrity and anti-doping regulation. Issue 2 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pielke, Roger; Boye, Erik
• Is Part Of: International journal of sport policy. Volume 11:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 295
• Page End: 313
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: Anti-doping -- evaluation -- sport -- science policy -- evidence-based policy; Sports and state -- Periodicals; Sports and state -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Sports -- Political aspects -- Periodicals; Sports administration -- Periodicals; Sports administration; Sports and state; Sports -- Political aspects; Great Britain; Periodicals; 353.7805
• DOI: 10.1080/19406940.2019.1596968
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1940-6959

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The paper addresses a fundamental challenge facing anti-doping regulation in sport: securing scientific integrity. The importance of evidence in anti-doping is similar to that found across many fields where science and expertise meet policy, ethics and regulation. We argue that a growing body of evidence indicates that anti-doping regulation under the World Anti-Doping Agency is sometimes arbitrary and too often not grounded in a solid foundation of evidence. We document shortfalls in standards of scientific integrity in four contexts: (1) the prevalence of doping, (2) performance benefits and health risks, (3) errors and inconsistencies in accusation, and (4) the evaluation of anti-doping policies. We give several suggestions to enhance scientific integrity in anti-doping regulation and argue that greater transparency will help to reduce inconsistencies and errors.