Yes to Human Metabolism (Not for Profit)

Alberto Barbieri & ChatGPT (OpenAI) — Imagine concept by Albero Barbieri Illustrated by A. Gardoni & ChatGPT July 2025

Pushing the human metabolism to its limits, especially in professional sports, should be considered a form of abuse of human physiology and genetic integrity (DNA/RNA). Even if done legally or with natural substances.

“If performance depends on metabolic exploitation, that performance is not free.”

Practices like the use of EPO or reinjection of hyper-oxygenated autologous blood show how far the body can be manipulated while staying technically within legal boundaries. But the ethical cost remains: the body becomes a tool, not a person.

Modern sport culture has turned athletes into metabolic engines, driven by schedules, supplements, biometric tracking, and economic performance metrics. In this context, the athlete risks becoming a commodity.

The real problem is not the enhancement itself, but that it’s done for profit.

A practical solution

We propose the introduction of personalized hourly caloric limits based on biometric data. This would ensure that sports performance remains within human physiological boundaries, respecting health and natural capacity.

• ✔ Continuous monitoring of vital signs
• ✔ Adaptive, real-time caloric ceilings
• ✔ Protection from metabolic overexploitation
• ✔ An ethical, sustainable model for high-level sports

“The body is not a machine. Let’s train for life, not for profit.”