Final answer:
Anabolic steroid drugs are commonly used by athletes in professional sports to enhance their performance. However, their use comes with serious health risks and is banned by major sports organizations. Allowing athletes to use steroids would undermine fair competition and compromise the integrity of the sport.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anabolic Steroids in Professional Sports:
Anabolic steroid drugs are commonly used by athletes in professional sports to enhance their performance. These drugs mimic the effects of naturally occurring hormones like testosterone and can provide a competitive edge by increasing muscle mass, strength, and endurance. However, the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) comes with serious risks and is banned by all major collegiate and professional sports organizations.
Health Risks:
Anabolic steroid use can have significant and dangerous side effects. These drugs can increase cholesterol levels, raise blood pressure, and damage the liver. Altered testosterone levels have been linked to structural damage to the heart, cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and sudden death. Steroid use can also result in physical changes such as shriveled testicles and enlarged breast tissue in males, and an enlarged and facial hair growth in females. Other potential side effects include increased aggression, depression, sleep disturbances, severe acne, and infertility.
Ethics and Fairness:
Allowing athletes to use steroids in professional sports would undermine the principles of fair competition. The use of performance-enhancing drugs gives users an unfair advantage over non-users, creating an unlevel playing field. This not only compromises the integrity of the sport but also sets a dangerous precedent.
Conclusion:
Given the significant health risks and ethical concerns associated with the use of steroids in professional sports, it is crucial to maintain strict bans on their usage. The focus should be on promoting clean and fair competition, and ensuring the well-being of athletes.