The big difference is that many competitive sports have outlawed drug-based human performance enhancement, whereas most medical enhancements and the best sports equipment money can buy, remain legal.

“MORPHED tells how a physician-scientist exploits an aging athlete to sell his gene doping method to pharmaceutical firms.  DNA manipulation – a likely next step in performance enhancement – amps up the health issues for all of us.  It pits parents against their kids who emulate their idol athletes and tempts us with prospects of its fountain of youth effects.  Shapiro opens the doors on the locker room’s inner sanctum where sports intermingle with big business and science.  His clearheaded page-turner will resonate with readers in all walks of life,” said Eric Heiden, MD, five-time speed skating Olympic gold medalist and Tour de France cyclist.  He authored “Faster, Better, Stronger” and practices sports medicine in Utah.

Although scientifically sound, Morphed is written within the framework of interesting fictional characters, increasing its appeal to all readers.  Whether you are a parent with athletic children or kids who can’t concentrate on their studies without a boost from drugs, a college coach, an M.D., a sports fan, professional athlete, or just love to read thrillers, this book offers intriguing insights into the topic of human performance enhancement and how it affects the entire population.

Alternate story angle:  Parents and professionals who work with kids

“College students are “doping” with a popular prescription drug — not to get high, but to get smarter.  Adderall, is normally prescribed for kids with attention deficit disorder. But 1 in 5 college students admit to using it to help them focus and pull all-nighters.  A person with a perfectly normal, functioning frontal cortex and dopamine levels will experience a heightened sense of motivation, focus, and concentration.  Baseball players take steroids to be the best and students take Adderall to be the best. It’s steroids for school.” -- Joan Luber Jacobs MA.MS., Educational Consultant, Del Mar, CA

Alternate story angle:  Health and Wellness Practitioners

“Daily I am witnessing how much society focuses on "enhancing oneself” and that one will go to any lengths to get such results. I look at cosmetic surgeries no different than an athlete doping -- to what extent will one go to nip, tuck, cut, enlarge, reduce, eliminate, etc?  I hope (my patients) read his book and become aware of this epidemic that has not only taken over the sports world, but our society.”  Sharon Starika, Feldenkrais Practitioner, Park City, UT

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About the author: Dr. Harvey Shapiro has been an award winning TV commentator, researcher, author, mayor of Del Mar, CA, and is an avid cyclist. He served as a Doping Control Officer in Utah's 2002 Winter Olympics and lives in Park City, UT and San Diego, CA.  Dr. Shapiro is available as a subject matter expert for medical panels and speaking engagements.

For more information about MORPHED, a copyright of Harvey Shapiro Books, visit: www.harveyshapirobooks.com or contact Anita Wolfe at 435-565-2490.
Print versions of MORPHED can be purchased at Amazon, CreateSpace, or BookBaby.
E-Book versions of MORPHED can purchased and downloaded for: Amazon "Kindle", B&N "Nook", and Sony "Reader".

Keywords/Suggested Tags:  Olympics, human performance enhancement, HPE, steroids, doping, athletes, Tour de France, cycling, sports medicine, medical thriller, book release, DNA, medical ethics