As clinical geneticists involved from few decades in the Diagnosis, Care and Prevention of Genetic Disorders, both at clinical and laboratory level, we  place great hopes and expectations in the revolutionary opportunities promised by the gene therapy. The possibility of either transferring genes into human cells or modulating endogenous gene expression, is leading to novel and revolutionary therapeutic tools. Gene therapy is in some way late, as compared to the anticipations: clinical applications of gene therapy face with incessant failures, and also tragic results, but the success will hopefully arrive.
  Now we all fear the misuse of gene therapy, because these no more futuristic techniques are would possibly  become an “ideal doping practice”.
 The incredible progress recorded in the fields of physiology, molecular genetics, and biotechnology has promoted the development of new doping techniques. “Gene doping in Sports”: the science and ethics of genetically modified athletes, is on the way. In few years, while a more and more common use of doping seems to involve worldwide athletes of any Sport at any level of age and professional involvement, new scenarios in antidoping research are now developing. The historical development of policy associated with gene doping began in 2001 when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Commission met to discuss the implications of gene therapy for sport. WADA (World Anti-Doping Association) created at the end 1999, represents the most ambitious and concerned response to date in the fight against doping in sport, and significant progress has already been made: one of the main areas of activity is certainly that of education.  
 
 During the two last decades we organized in Florence several stimulating international Conferences, inviting the most active Scientists worldwide to discuss emerging topics, the use of new technologies, and the more recent developments of Human and Medical Genetics, with special attention towards the ethic and moral implications: Identification of Genetic Syndromes (1982); From Man to Gene, from Gene to Man (1987); Genomic Imprinting (1994); Fragile X syndromes and other Mental Retardation Syndromes (1998); Genetics and the Law (2002 ); Chromosomes and Genes for the Life and the Health of the Man (2005); etc.
  Once again our main objective is  to bring together, in this Symposium, Scientists  involved in the pure and applied Research, on the extremely new and topical subject of Doping and Gene Doping. We wish that this Symposium, dealing with  Gene Doping from different points of view, will be able to stimulate an up to date discussion, and to permit to experts to share such important topics  with young scientists, students, athletes, sports community, public authorities on Sport and Education.

  For this reason, we are pleased to invite you to participate in the Symposium which will be held on October 25-27, 2008 in our wonderful city of Florence. Your participation is welcomed  with your experience and  scientific contributions.
  The three days Symposium includes Plenary Scientific sessions with Lectures, Round Tables, Programmed Short Presentations and Poster Presentation open also to Athletes and Students. Venues: Palazzo Vecchio (Salone dei 500’) and Florence Palace Convention Center.
                                           
See you in Florence