In all, about five dozen doctors, scientists and lab directors had their names on the two letters, which were sent to undercut the union's questions about the accuracy and validity of a test that produces an average of one false positive for every 10,000 tests conducted.
"This further demonstrates that there is simply no excuse for delaying the start of HGH testing in the NFL," league spokesman Greg Aiello said. "The scientific validity of the test is unquestioned. The abuse of growth hormone must be deterred to protect the health of our players and send the right message to young athletes in all sports." [...]
One of the key items the NFLPA is seeking is a population study of the test — the data from the athletes who were used to originally set thresholds as to what constitutes a positive test. It wants to compare that data to a population study on football players; the union believes they could have naturally higher HGH levels above those of other athletes.
The World Anti-Doping Agency, which sanctions the test, has declined to produce more information, per the union's request, saying plenty of data about the test is available and in the public domain.
The majority of those who signed the letters have some connection to WADA or its accredited labs. Those associated with labs linked to WADA are typically discouraged from making statements that question the agency's tests or procedures.
