| Michael Lockett - a top amateur bodybuilder from | | | | sometimes with limited function. |
| today's ranks. Flex Wheeler - a top professional | | | | It's a brand new science, but in the coming years, there |
| bodybuilder of the 1990s. Phil Heath - an up and coming | | | | will no doubt be a wealth of studies done on this gene, |
| pro in the last two years who is setting bodybuilding | | | | and a wealth of opportunists will arrive on the scene to |
| stages on fire. They've all been granted the "myostatin | | | | capitalize upon the interest held by many in the |
| freak" label by sport observers to explain their | | | | bodybuilding community. Imagine the day when a |
| extraordinary muscularity and ability to respond to | | | | syringe can offer some compound which lessens the |
| bodybuilding inputs (nutrition, supplements, training and | | | | effect of the myostatin gene in humans. Imagine if |
| more) - and the fact they were so good at | | | | your arms DIDN'T stop growing at 19 inches - and they |
| bodybuilding, so early. But do they have it, or is it simply | | | | just kept on growing to 21, 22, even 23 inches. Imagine |
| hype? | | | | if your body suddenly threw away what it considers |
| Myostatin occurs naturally in the body. Its task, simply, | | | | your inherited genetic limitations. |
| is to limit growth. It is a protein in the bloodstream which | | | | Keep an eye out for myostatin studies, findings, and of |
| slows the development of muscle tissue. And there is | | | | course, those bodybuilders creating a hype machine by |
| a belief that either through gene manipulation or some | | | | claiming to be the "next" myostatin freak. No healthy, |
| other factors, human beings can have their myostatin | | | | adult human being has ever been tested and found to |
| gene altered in order to have a great deal more | | | | have the magic myostatin gene which allows for |
| muscle. Already, there have been rare cases of dogs | | | | unlimited growth. A test does exist to discover who is |
| bred specifically without the myostatin agent - and | | | | with the gene, and most marketing machine athletes |
| they are faster, stronger, and much more muscular | | | | have either failed it or chosen not to take it. But as |
| than other dogs. However, they often take on a | | | | with all things conceived today by science, it will likely |
| significantly altered look as their body's purpose | | | | be here tomorrow. Imagine a new breed of babies |
| becomes more efficient for carrying this muscular | | | | born with strength and genetic potential for muscle |
| weight. Their skulls, frames, and other features often | | | | growth which dwarfs that of today's top athletes. The |
| appear "less evolved" - broader, shorter, thicker, and | | | | potential is mind-boggling. And it's coming. |
