This paper considers the article written by Christian Munthe (2000) titled Selected Champions. Munthe's scholarly paper about the implications and uses of genetic technology (engineering) in a sporting context, raises the question as to what ends sports aspire since his thesis concludes genetic enhancement to be concurrent with sporting ideals. The primary criticism of Munthe is the lack of appreciation for sporting values, which is the basis upon which he argues the commensurability of genetic engineering with elite sport. Where Munthe's conception is premised upon a rather impoverished and conceptually problematic notion of sporting ideals, the current paper argues for a richer articulation. Nevertheless, not wishing to discount the radical implications genetic technology presents for sports governing bodies, this paper articulates the problems genetic manipulation raises on a bioethical and sports ethical level for elite competition. Furthermore, it is argued that Munthe’s consideration of genetic technology is lacking due to its interest to focus, primarily, upon the pseudo-doping implications of genetics - such as gene doping, the method of inserting genes to boost performance. Instead, this paper addresses the wider implications and possibilities of genetics to influence sporting competition. For example, the possibility to alter an individual's genetic predisposition before birth provokes a very different set of ethical issues to - as Munthe addresses - the use of genetic technologies to manipulate the capabilities of an adult athlete. In conclusion, it is suggested that a broader comprehension of how gene technology might be used for sporting activities will render a more holistic understanding of its ethical tenability in sport and beyond. To construe the ethical issues relating to genetic enhancement for sport as solely a problem for sports ethics is to misunderstand it entirely. Indeed, the stronger claim is made that sports ethical considerations of gene technology must consider the broader bioethical issues raised by such applications of genetics to be coherent and to be a viable concern for sports ethicists.

Reference
Munthe, C. (2000) Selected Champions: Engineering Success in Elite Sport. In C. Tamburrini and T. Tannsjo Values in Sport London: E & FN Spon, pp.217-231.