Date of Proposal:
September 8, 2005

Proposal Number:
PRN 2005-367

Proposal Description:
The proposed rule sets forth the parameters of a testing program designed to detect the chemical “doping” of harness race horses with synthetic human glycoproteins known as erythropoietin (EPO) and darbepoetin (DarbEPO). These prohibited, performance-enhancing substances have been linked to such life-threatening conditions in race horses as dehydration and anemia. The proposed rule sets forth parameters for use of a recently-developed test known as the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The test can reliably detect elevated levels of an anti-recombinant EPO antibody produced in a horse’s blood after the animal has been dosed with the two specified synthetic human glycoproteins. The proposed rule appears in the October 3, 2005 edition of the New Jersey Register.