Steroids

The ever going debate goes on whether or not the very essence of human nature is changed, for good or bad, with the advancement of science and biotechnology. The controversy itself may seem frivolous to some because most of society may think that if this new technology is going help save lives and make human beings in general better, then why is there such a big opposition to it? The oppositionists to this suggest that just because human beings can enhance themselves does not mean it is necessarily a good thing and there could be severe risks that are not being taken into account. There are even people out there that are well aware of the risks and don't even care about them anyway. One of the biggest controversies that have arisen from this is the issue of steroids. In general everyone knows what steroids are. They are mainly used by athletes in order to make themselves bigger and stronger. This sounds familiar doesn't it? Isn't this what some have continued to argue, that advancement is human nature? The only problem is that steroids use in the United States is illegal. Some may believe that it should not be. Even though steroids are illegal, athletes continue to find ways to use it and deceive everyone around them. Though steroids in essence can make an athlete stronger and faster there are too many tragic cases that have resulted from its use. Despite the great effects it can have on an athlete the legalization of steroids can not be as simple as some people may think.

In a recent newspaper article there was a story about a high school baseball player who committed suicide after it was found he had been taking drugs, most especially steroids. From the article itself, ".....Rob Garibaldi, a kid with major-league tools but minor-league size: Get bigger. Fast."(SF Chronicle pg A-1) The basic message to this kid was that he had the talent to succeed but he still was not good enough. Though people around him were suggesting ways of accomplishing this he took this as severe criticism and felt enormous pressure to meet the expectations he felt was being put on him by the people around him. In his journal Arnhart mentions "Human beings generally desire...., wealth,....social ranking,....practical reasoning."(Arnhart pg. 68) Arnhart is trying to put a point across that no matter how advanced human beings may get that the natural desires of a human being does not change. Speaking in generality he talks about people's aspirations for wealth and social ranking. Everyone in society, generally, wishes one day to not only have a lot of money but be a recognizable person in society. From the article, "How do you think Bonds hits all his homeruns?"(SF Chronicle pg. A-1) Garibaldi watched as baseball players like a Mark McGwire hit homeruns and break records that many in the baseball world thought were unbreakable. When his baseball idol, Barry Bonds, broke the all time single season homerun record he was ecstatic. He wanted to be like Bonds. He wanted people to know who he was and wanted the same fame and fortunes that were given to McGwire and to Bonds. With the perceived pressures he felt around him Garibaldi turned to steroids as the only answer. The only logical explanation in his mind for the success of these ballplayers was that they had to be taking steroids because of their size and athletic ability. Arnhart is a believer that these are part of a core of human desires that no matter what advancements are made in science and biotechnology will never change in humans. Arnhart goes on to say "....., we should expect that biotechnology- as well as all forms of technology- will be used to satisfy those natural human desires...."(Arnhart pg. 68) What he is trying to say is that human nature does not change with biotechnology, it is biotechnology that complements human desire. No matter how advanced society gets those advancements aide the same human desires that have existed since the beginning of human existence. In Garibaldi's case even though he wanted to get bigger and faster and stronger by taking steroids the essence of his desires are no different than any other person's. He wanted to be above his peers but he was driven by human desires that are present in all human beings according to Arnhart. The only problem with this logic is that one can argue a heroin attic getting a quick fix to relieve some of their pains in life. Most would tend to agree that heroin should never be legal. However how can some argue that if most humans share these desires that steroids should be legal? The consequences are just as catastrophic.

In Ashcroft's article he discusses the debate brought about by Fukuyama and

Stock, describing the human future in biomedical technologies. He mentions in his article,

They argue that the direction the technology will take is controlled by some fairly human impulses: to improve one's welfare and to ensure a better future for one's children. In gloomier moments, they admit a third impulse: to dominate other.(Ashcroft pg. 60)

He talks about how Fukuyama and Stock feel that these are the human instincts that fuel advancements in the biotechnology field. No matter how far the advancements maybe in biotechnology it is the basic human impulse that is never changed, controlling it. On the optimistic side after Garibaldi started taking steroids it paid immediate results. "He hit .329 with eight home runs and 44 runs batted.........Baseball America placed him among the top 100 college players...."(SF Chronicle pg. A-1) Steroids for Garibaldi had improved the way he played the game and he was recognized as one of the elite players by dominating others in his sport. The dominating feeling made Garibaldi feel so great about himself and his accomplishments. From this sense of jubilation some in society may say why steroids are illegal in the first place if they can enhance a human being into being better and stronger. These are the same people that just happen to overlook the severity of the consequences to follow. Ashcroft says "Risks should be taken....yet to do so we need to set aside the self-serving and incoherent ideology...."(Ashcroft pg. 61) What one can infer from this quote is that Ashcroft believe advances in biotechnology is not a bad thing but the reasons behind it should be valid and noble. In Garibaldi's case he was only thinking of how steroids could better his life without stepping back to look at the consequences. He never really thought how this would affect the people who care about him. He was just concerned with himself. What were the consequences of his actions? The article goes on to say "...., sitting in a car just around the block from his parents'