1. Our position on anti-doping
Goal Health Ltd supports the integrity of sport. We believe that epigenetic monitoring, when used responsibly, strengthens clean sport by enabling better injury prevention, load management, and recovery, reducing the pressure on athletes to seek prohibited means of performance enhancement.
We have zero tolerance for doping. We do not provide, recommend, or facilitate access to prohibited substances or methods. Any request to use our services for anti-doping evasion will be refused and reported to the relevant authorities.
2. Regulatory framework
Our operations are governed by the following regulatory instruments:
- World Anti-Doping Code 2021 (as amended)
- UK Anti-Doping Rules (UKAD)
- WADA International Standard for Laboratories (ISL)
- WADA International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI)
- WADA International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information (ISPPPI)
- Medicines Act 1968 and Human Medicines Regulations 2012
3. What we test, and what we do not
Our epigenetic panels measure DNA methylation, histone modifications, and miRNA expression. These are epigenetic markers: chemical modifications to DNA and its packaging that regulate gene expression. They are not genetic sequences themselves, and they do not reveal information about prohibited genetic manipulation.
We do not:
- Test for prohibited substances or their metabolites.
- Test for blood doping markers (e.g., haematocrit, reticulocyte count).
- Test for anabolic steroid use or human growth hormone.
- Test for gene doping or genetic manipulation.
- Provide any service that could be used to mask or evade anti-doping testing.
Our testing is distinct from anti-doping testing. It is conducted for performance and medical purposes only, under medical supervision, with full transparency to the athlete and club.
4. Sample collection and chain of custody
All biological samples are collected under clinical supervision in our London facility or by qualified phlebotomists at club premises. We maintain a rigorous chain of custody:
- Samples are collected with informed consent and proper identification.
- Each sample is assigned a unique identifier and tracked through processing.
- Samples are transported in tamper-evident containers under temperature-controlled conditions.
- All handling is documented and auditable.
- Samples are destroyed after analysis unless the player consents to longitudinal storage.
5. Therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs)
Where our clinical recommendations involve medications or supplements that may appear on the WADA Prohibited List, we:
- Cross-reference all recommendations against the current WADA Prohibited List before issuance.
- Flag any substance requiring a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to the player and club medical staff.
- Support the TUE application process by providing relevant clinical documentation.
- Never recommend a prohibited substance where a permitted alternative exists.
6. Supplement policy
Our nutrition protocols may include supplement recommendations. We operate under a strict supplement policy:
- All recommended supplements are batch-tested by Informed Sport or equivalent third-party certification.
- We maintain a prohibited supplement list updated with each WADA Prohibited List revision.
- We educate players on the risks of unregulated supplements and contaminated products.
- We do not have commercial relationships with supplement manufacturers that could create conflicts of interest.
7. Reporting obligations
Under the UK Anti-Doping Rules, we have a duty to report any suspected anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) that come to our attention in the course of our work. This includes:
- Evidence of prohibited substance use or possession.
- Evidence of prohibited methods (e.g., blood manipulation, gene doping).
- Evidence of tampering with doping control.
- Evidence of trafficking or administration of prohibited substances.
Reports are made confidentially to UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) or the relevant international federation. We protect the identity of whistleblowers to the fullest extent permitted by law.
8. Education and training
All Goal Health laboratory and clinical staff complete annual anti-doping education:
- WADA-accredited anti-doping education module.
- UKAD Clean Sport education programme.
- Internal training on the intersection of epigenetics and anti-doping policy.
- Regular updates on changes to the WADA Prohibited List and testing protocols.
9. Transparency with authorities
We maintain open channels of communication with UKAD, WADA, and FIFA's anti-doping unit. We:
- Respond promptly to legitimate requests for information from anti-doping authorities.
- Cooperate with investigations where legally required.
- Share anonymised research data with WADA's scientific research committee where it advances clean sport.
10. Contact
For questions about our anti-doping compliance, or to report a concern, please contact:
Anti-Doping Compliance Officer
Goal Health Ltd
Email: info@goalhealth.co.uk
Phone: [To be added]
You may also report concerns directly to UK Anti-Doping or via WADA's Speak Up platform.
Document version: 1.0
Effective date: September 2026
Next review: September 2027 (or upon publication of WADA Prohibited List 2027)