Drug Tests Must Be Specific

Barry Bonds' Positive Steroid Test Results May Be Flawed

A chemical test must be specific. A simple example from seventh grade science illustrates that fact. Benedict's solution is used to test for the presence of glucose, which is a simple sugar. When the material to be tested is added to Benedict's solution and the mixture is heated, the Benedict's solution changes from blue to green, yellow, orange, or red, depending upon the glucose concentration. If no color change occurs, no glucose is present. The problem is that substances OTHER than glucose can produce the same color changes. Vitamin C is such a substance.

Is it Glucose or Vitamin C?

Ron Paul's urine was tested for the presence of glucose. The potential presidential candidate had recently finished off a large glass of orange juice, which contains sugar and vitamin C. Dr. Paul's urine tested positive -- but was it for glucose or for vitamin C? You get the picture.

Is it a Steroid, a Contaminated Supplement, or a Prohormone?

The indictment of Barry Bonds claims that he had tested positive for steroids. The greatest home run hitter in baseball history, with the exception of Babe Ruth, may have used steroids, which the test revealed, or maybe he didn't. A contaminated dietary supplement (see Rafael Palmeiro) or a prohormone that was legal at the time of the test might have produced the positive test result.

Ornithine and Arginine Stimulate Growth Hormone Production

Prohormones are NOT anabolic steroids. They are dietary supplements that are the precursors of an anabolic steroid, such as testosterone, or growth hormone. Two amino acids, ornithine and arginine, convert fat to muscle by stimulating the pituitary gland to increase the production of growth hormone. Body builders ingest arginine and ornithine to increase muscle mass.

The Burden of Proof