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Topic:

The Legalization of the Use of Steroids in Professional Sports

Essay Instructions:

ASSIGNMENT: Using your outline and annotated bibliography from Touchstones 1.2 and 2.2, draft a 6-8 page argumentative research essay on your chosen topic.



In order to foster learning and growth, all essays you submit must be newly written specifically for this course. Any recycled work will be sent back with a 0, and you will be given one attempt to redo the Touchstone.



As this assignment builds on Touchstone 2.2: Create an Annotated Bibliography, that Touchstone, as well as Touchstone 3.1, must be graded before you can submit your research essay draft.



Sample Touchstone 3

A. Assignment Guidelines

DIRECTIONS: Refer to the list below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.



1. Argumentative Thesis Statement

❒ Have you included a thesis in your introduction that takes a clear, specific position on one side of a debatable issue?

2. Argument Development

❒ Are all of the details relevant to the purpose of your essay?

❒ Is the argument supported using rhetorical appeals and source material?

❒ Is your essay 6-8 pages (approximately 1500-2000 words)? If not, which details do you need to add or remove?

3. Research

❒ Have you cited outside sources effectively using quotation, summary, or paraphrase techniques?

❒ Are the sources incorporated smoothly, providing the reader with signal phrases and context for the source information?

❒ Have you referenced a range of at least 7 credible sources?

❒ Have you properly cited your sources according to APA style guidelines?

❒ Have you included an APA style reference page below your essay?

4. Reflection

❒ Have you answered all reflection questions thoughtfully and included insights, observations, and/or examples in all responses?

❒ Are your answers included on a separate page below the main assignment?

B. Reflection

DIRECTIONS: Below your assignment, include answers to all of the following reflection questions.



Provide one example of a place where you have used rhetorical appeals or source material to support your argument. How does this enhance your essay? (2-3 sentences)

Touchstone 4 is a revision of this draft. What kind of feedback would be helpful for you as you revise? Are there parts of your draft that you’re uncertain of? (3-4 sentences)

Essay Sample Content Preview:

The Legalization of the Use of Steroids in Professional Sports
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There has been an ongoing debate on using steroids in professional sports to augment the athletes' physical abilities. Some suggest that it is plausible, while others argue that it is unsafe and unfair for other athletes who compete with brute strength and basic skills. This leads to the creation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which mediates the arguments presented by various parties CITATION WADnd \l 13321 (WADA, n.d.). WADA conducts blood serum testing to detect the use of prohibited drugs during sports competitions. In 2019, it reported that more anti-doping organizations invested in establishing laboratories that test for the prohibited use of the three primary substances, including growth hormone-releasing factors (GHRFs), growth hormone (GH), and erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs) compared to 2014 CITATION WAD19 \l 13321 (WADA, 2019). The creation of WADA addresses two significant growing concerns in the field of professional sports. The first pertains to outdated doping policies, and the second refers to the lack of commitment by the countries to these policies. Currently, the policies are directed to the prohibition of the use of doping agents in professional sports. Despite WADA and other government agencies' efforts, the anti-doping policies have only reduced the prohibited substances' use but only to a minimal amount. This is why this paper shall prove that reforms are necessary to ensure that the use of prohibited drugs in professional sports shall not be tolerated. Legalizing steroids in professional sports benefits athletes by instilling equity through improved performances, reducing cheats in the sports field, and promoting safe doping.
Prevalence of Performance-Enhancing Drug Use in Sports
The Northwestern University (2015) revealed that the implementation of stricter rules in 2005 hinted at the steroid era's end. Steroids and related hormones, stimulants, anti-masking agents, oxygen transfer enhancers, and diuretics were banned from the industry. Likewise, any athlete found taking any of these shall be banned from the games. Due to this, 47 baseball players have been disqualified in participating in the Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2005, garnering penalties of not less than a ten-day suspension during the entire season. The National Football League (NFL) players also suffered a loss, particularly in 2011, where 21 suspensions were noted, which increased to 82 suspensions in 2012 CITATION Nor15 \l 13321 (Northwestern University, 2015).
The Founding of WADA
This organization combats the chaotic arguments between the use and non-use of doping substances. It joined forces with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to protect the athletes, medical staff, and coaches from corrupt sports organizations that benefit from their health, talents, and experiences. WADA also established the World Anti-Doping Code, supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention Against Doping in Sport in 2005 and other national governments globally. All of these ratifications are aimed at promoting an ideal platform or drug-free sport. Despite WADA's efforts, the policies that it built have been soon dishonored due to the more extraordinary politics and commercial interests in sports rather than upholding the field's ethical standards (Houlihan et al., 2019).
Policies and Penalties to Violations in the Use of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports
The policies differ based on the leagues or sports. This is particularly true in the United States, where the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) acts as one of the influential organizations that regulate the major leagues' actions via testing programs. Generally, violations against the league's drug policies result in suspension or banning of the violators. The differences lie in the length and nature of the punishments. For example, the first violation in NFL shall result in suspension to at least four games, whereas the third violation shall incur at least twelve months accompanied by disqualification from Pro Bowl and other awards. In the National Basketball Association (NBA) policies, the first violation results in suspension to ten games while the fourth violation deems the athlete disqualified from the league CITATION Nor15 \l 13321 (Northwestern University, 2015).
The Need to Legalize Doping in Sports
The issues on the outdated anti-doping policies in the major leagues, the ineffectiveness of the regulating bodies, and the lack of cooperation from the members are valid reasons to call for a unique reform from the previous suggestions that only focus on the violations and punishments. The reforms should focus on legalizing doping to eradicate doping. Although this is quite ironic, this has been supported in the literature and by some specialists. This must be combined with reform within regulating bodies and improvement in the utilization of the technologies.
The Reasons for Opposing Doping Legalization in Sports
Although legalizing the use of performance-enhancing drugs has tremendous benefits for the athlete, significant challenges or issues accompany it. The primary issue is the outdated anti-doping policies of the major leagues, particularly in the U.S. For example, the latest revision in the drug policies of MLB was made in 2005. Although it enacted strict rules, these are not up-to-date with the latest trends. Consequently, the basis of NFL's violations and penalties was made in 2007 while the NBA utilized the same rules over the years CITATION Nor15 \l 13321 (Northwestern University, 2015). Additionally, the WADA dwells on the applicable regulations twenty years ago when the distribution of performance-enhancing drugs was rampant and not present. Although WADA has performed three significant revisions from 2006 to 2017, this is not enough to cater to the needs of the professional sports leagues because it focuses on the individual athlete with the lack of consideration with the culture of doping and international human rights (Houlihan et al., 2019).
The next issue pertains to the regulating bodies' ineffectiveness and lack of cooperation and commitment of the member countries. For example, based on the recent figures, WADA failed to have a comprehensive laboratory examination of the athletes to detect the prohibited substances, reflecting its failure in applying the Anti-Doping Code worldwide. Its figures did not increase much from 2008, where the testing is at 1.08%, to 2016, where the testing is at 1.6%. These percentages are low compared to the estimated 25% doping in sports worldwide. Additionally, some major international leagues and national governments failed to follow WADA's anti-doping policies due to varying degrees of cultural differences, distinct approaches to implementation, and the number of resources. However, some agencies are merely negligent of their duties (Houlihan et al., 2019).
Lastly, Partridge et al. (2012) investigated the concerns on the legalization of doping practices in sports and cognitive enhancer drugs. The results revealed that most people disagree on cognitive and performance enhancers, espec...
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