THE BOUNCER said:
where have you heard about the defect in his myostatin gene? I would just like to know were you find these facts of yours.
Search for BALCO laboratories in any search engine. They specialize in studieynbg the athletes....
I posted the article which I originally found at
http://208.17.144.14/Anabolic/Anafo...+info+RE:+Flex+Wheeler.&Forum_Title=TNT+FORUM
Some quotes from the article
"Flex was one of only nine extreme responders that had the very rare "myostatin mutation." Myostatin is the gene that "limits muscle growth." Specifically, Flex had the rarest form of myostatin mutation at the "exon 2" position on the gene. This simply means Flex has a much larger number of muscle fibers compared to the other subjects or the normal population. "
and the best quote
"Its a pity depite having the best genetics and favourable conditions (read drugs) for producing muscle, Flex has all but pissed his chance away at ever claiming a Sandow."
-----------------------
October 1, 1998
Re: Flex Wheeler
To whom it may concern:
I am writing this letter per the request of Flex Wheeler.
I would first like to briefly provide you with some background information regarding BALCO
Laboratories. BALCO has been working with elite Olympic and professional athletes for over
fifteen years. BALCO has provided testing and consultation for over 250 NFL players including
the entire 1998 Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos team and the entire Miami Dolphins
team. BALCO works with professional athletes in many sports including teenis (Michael Chang,
Jim Courier, etc.), hockey, bodybuilding (10 of the 16 1998 Mr. Olympia contestants), track and
field, soccer and basketball (Seattle SuperSonics).
BALCO Laboratories has been testing and monitoring Flex on a routine basis during the last
year. We have performed tests including blood chemistry (SMAC), complete blood count (CBC),
PSA, anabolic hormone levels, genotyping as well as comprehensive testing for nutritional
elements. Flex's test results have been compared to twenty-four other professional
bodybuilders and overall he has one of the healthiest profiles. Basically, Flex is in excellent
health and has demonstrated the discipline necessary to maintain a peak level of conditioning.
Flex was a participant in a study we recently conducted in collaboration with the Department
of Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh involving 62 men who made unusually large
gains in muscle mass in response to strength training (extreme responders). Flex was one of
only nine extreme responders that had the very rare "myostatin mutation." Myostatin is the
gene that "limits muscle growth." Specifically, Flex had the rarest form of myostatin mutation
at the "exon 2" position on the gene. This simply means Flex has a much larger number of
muscle fibers compared to the other subjects or the normal population. We believe that these
are the very first myostatin mutation findings in humans and the results of this landmark study
have already been submitted for publication. Flex was also found to have a very unusual type
of the IGF-1 gene. In fact, Flex was the only participant in the study that did not have a
"match." All of the other extreme responders had at least three other subjects with a matching
IGF-1 gene. Based upon Flex's very unique genetic profile, we plan to expeditiously publish a
scientific paper that reveals his complete genotype in specific detail. The publication of his
remarkable genetic data should generate an enormous amount of media exposure.
Hope this information will be helpful and please call if I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
/s/ Victor Conte
Victor Conte
President
BALCO Laboratories, Inc.
I thought it was really interesting. Especially the part concerning the myostatin mutation that Flex posesses.
Myostatin is a protein that inhibits muscle growth, and if the gene that produces myostatin is removed, then
an increase in the number of muscle fibres increases.
Also interesting was the fact, "Flex was also found to have a very unusual type of the IGF-1 gene. In fact,
Flex was the only participant in the study that did not have a "match."
Its a pity depite having the best genetics and favourable conditions (read drugs) for producing muscle, Flex
has all but pissed his chance away at ever claiming a Sandow.
See boys its true. In the long run it all comes down to what genes mummy and daddy passed on to us. It's
what we make with those genes that counts.