It is illegal for athletes to take steroids or any other type of drug, so they rely on blood doping. Right before an event, an athlete does drugs with blood. In this way they take a substance to increase the number of red blood cells. As the erythrocytes rise, oxygen is easily transported to the muscle improving the athlete's performance. The main types of blood doping use are synthetic oxygen carriers, blood transfusions and erythropoietin (EPO). Purified proteins or chemicals having the ability to carry oxygen are known as synthetic oxygen carriers. Some examples of them are hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOC) or perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay. This poses the risk of cardiovascular disease. Synthetic oxygen carriers are mainly used in emergencies when human blood is not available, but the risk of crossing different blood types is high. Fortunately, there is a test created in 2004 to indicate whether the form of blood doping is being used. Blood transfusions are a less common form of blood doping. The two types of blood transfusions used are autologous and homologous. Autologous is when an athlete uses their own blood. They refrigerate or freeze blood and perform a transfusion right before an event. This process contains many risk factors. Blood must be stored correctly to remain viable, and the procedure must be performed correctly. Homologous blood transfusions involve blood from another human with the same blood type. This carries the risk that the virus has passed through the transfusion. Blood transfusions as a form of blood doping date back decades, but there is only one test to detect whether the homologous form is used. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a natural human hormone produced by the kidneys and stimulates red blood cells in the bone marrow. The red blood cells go directly to the muscle and can increase the body's ability to buffer lactic acid. If a human suffers from anemia related to kidney disease, EPO can be used therapeutically to the right extent. But for an athlete, EPO in the form of blood doping is not the right solution. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay EPO use can lead to heart disease, stroke, and cerebral or pulmonary embolism due to thickening of the blood. In some cases, autoimmune diseases have been brought on by EPO. a 200o test managed to detect EPO use through blood and urine. Then, in 2003, a test was developed that used only urine to detect use. I believe blood doping should be illegal because it affects the process of something that should happen naturally. The red blood cells are supposed to flow naturally to the working muscles, and are not forced there by some sort of substance. They bring with them many risks. For example, heart attack, stroke or blood clotting. Whether it is illegal for an athlete to use testosterone-producing steroids for muscle gain and why the use of blood doping should be allowed?.