Our founding principles
Epigenetic testing in elite sport exists at the intersection of cutting-edge science, commercial pressure, and human vulnerability. We recognise that the power to read a player's cellular code carries an equal responsibility to protect their autonomy, dignity, and future. These principles are non-negotiable.
1. Player sovereignty over data
The biological data generated from a player's sample belongs to the player, full stop. It is not club property. It is not ours. The player decides who sees it, how it is used, and when it is destroyed.
- Players receive their full report directly, not filtered through club channels.
- Raw epigenetic data is never shared with clubs without explicit, revocable consent.
- Players may request complete data deletion at any time, with no penalty to their standing or contract.
2. No selection discrimination
We will not provide, and clubs may not request, epigenetic data for the purpose of team selection, contract termination, or transfer valuation. Our science is for performance optimisation and injury prevention, not for determining who plays and who does not.
- We do not report on genetic determinants of talent or potential.
- We do not provide data that could be used to label a player as "high risk" for contract purposes.
- Any club found using our data for selection discrimination will have their partnership terminated immediately.
3. Transparency in science
We report what the data shows, what it does not show, and what we do not yet know. Epigenetics is a rapidly evolving field. We will never oversell certainty or obscure the limitations of our panels.
- All reports include confidence intervals, sample size context, and known limitations.
- We distinguish between validated biomarkers and exploratory findings.
- We publish our methodology and welcome independent peer review.
4. Informed consent, not assumed consent
Every player must understand what they are consenting to before a sample is taken. Consent is not a box-ticking exercise. It is an ongoing conversation.
- Players receive a plain-language explanation of the test, its purpose, and its limits before sampling.
- Consent is granular: players may opt in to clinical monitoring while opting out of research participation.
- Consent is revocable at any time, with clear processes for withdrawal.
- Players under 18 require parental consent plus their own assent, with age-appropriate explanations.
5. Responsible research
Research advances the field and benefits future athletes. But it must never exploit current ones.
- All research is approved by an independent ethics committee.
- Research participation is voluntary and never a condition of service.
- Published research uses only anonymised, aggregated data. No individual is identifiable.
- We do not conduct research on populations where the risk-benefit balance is unfavourable.
6. Clinical integrity
Our clinical team operates under the same ethical standards as NHS medical practitioners. Commercial interests never override clinical judgment.
- Clinical recommendations are based on evidence, not on upselling additional services.
- We disclose any conflicts of interest, including commercial relationships with supplement or technology providers.
- We refer players to independent specialists when their needs exceed our scope.
7. Equity of access
Elite epigenetic science should not be the exclusive preserve of the wealthiest clubs. We are committed to making our services accessible across the football pyramid.
- We offer scaled pricing for clubs outside the Premier League without compromising service quality.
- We provide pro bono biological age monitoring for academy players in underserved communities.
- We publish open-access educational resources on epigenetics and sports performance.
8. Accountability
This charter is not aspirational. It is enforceable.
- Every Goal Health employee and contractor signs this charter as a condition of engagement.
- We conduct annual ethical audits of our operations, reported to our Scientific Advisory Board.
- Players, clubs, and the public may report concerns to our independent Ethics Officer at info@goalhealth.co.uk.
- Breaches of this charter result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination and regulatory reporting.
"The measure of our success is not the clubs we serve or the papers we publish. It is the trust we earn from every player who entrusts us with their biology."
Adopted by the Board of Goal Health Ltd, September 2026.