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Performance Enhancing Drugs
Argumentative Essay Assignment
Proponents of accepting performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) in sports argue that their harmful
health effects have been overstated, that health risks are an athlete’s decision to make, that
using drugs is part of the evolution of sports much like improved training techniques and new
technologies, and that efforts to keep athletes from using PEDs are overzealous, unproductive,
unfairly administered, and bound to fail.
Opponents argue that PEDs are harmful and potentially fatal, that athletes who use them are
cheaters who gain an unfair advantage, violate the spirit of competition, and send the wrong
message to children. They say PED users unfairly diminish the historic achievements of clean
athletes, and that efforts to stop PED use in sports should remain strong.
Directions: Choose a side and defend the side that you choose with cold, hard facts. You are
to write a 3-5 page paper, double spaced and typed. Choose one or more of the following
Performance Enhancing Drugs to discuss in detail in your paper to help support your
argument.
PED’s: Anabolic Steroids, Creatine, Human Growth Hormone (HGH), Andro, Ephedra
Questions to Consider: Here are a few questions to help you along during your research.
CORE QUESTION
Should performance enhancing drugs (such as steroids) be accepted in sports?
Performance Enhancing Drugs
What are performance enhancing drugs?
Why are some performance enhancing drugs legal while others are banned?
What are some examples of legal performance enhancing substances that athletes are
allowed to use?
Is a potential negative impact on the athlete's health a valid reason to ban performance
enhancing drugs in sports?
Moral and Ethical Issues
Does the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs by some athletes coerce other athletes
to also use them to remain competitive?
Does the use of performance enhancing drugs violate the "spirit of sport"?
Is there an ethical difference between using performance enhancing drugs and using
performing enhancing technologies in nutrition, training, and equipment?
Do athletes gain an unfair advantage by using performance enhancing drugs?