For human athletes, my recollection is that in Sweden this was originally done in very expensive specially constructed houses, and in conjunction with what was called "train high, live low." If it's within the rules, however, I don't see why using it would make one a bad guy.

Stan Bergstein recently did a column outlining all of the drug positives & related matters which have occurred since the BC scandal & during the time period the Giuliani Group is claiming that public confidence in horseracing increased, to wit: the Oxycontin, ephedra,& EPO positives, the amputated leg & possible low denerving, & the use of shock wave therapy. Now comes word that some are using an undetectable type of synthetic cone snail venom which is 1,000 times more powerful than morphine for killing pain. In addition to cheating the public & the other competitors, the one thing all of these numbing agents have in common is that they put the life of the horse & jockey at risk. I don't think it's an exaggeration to describe those who engage in these practices as evil, even if it's not at the same level as is seen outside racing. As I see it, a lifetime ban & criminal prosecution is almost too lenient.