https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25075207/Recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH), also known as rGH, has been employed to stimulate linear growth since 1985. Obtaining these pharmaceuticals as a minor is a trifling matter, and occasionally comes at no cost if one is willing to provide a favorable review for the distributor. While some individuals like to feign that average human height is undergoing a profound transformation, presuming that shorter individuals are entirely eliminated through some form of selection, the apparent anomalies primarily arise from advancements in technology and pharmaceuticals. This practice is not novel, as orthopedic methods for altering height have been in use since 1932 (source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7058770/). It suggests that artificial height modification has been practiced for an extensive duration. Although abundant literature or discourse on this subject may not be readily available online, this is likely due to individuals desiring to maintain the illusion of natural stature.
Acquiring low-cost growth hormone from any source to administer to a child athlete would be a trivial task, and many families indeed engage in this practice. In some cases, drugs are administered to children without their knowledge or consent, leading them to believe that their performance and stature are "natural" (source:
https://time.com/6148528/russian-skater-kamila-valieva-contamination/).
It is not solely injectable growth hormone that can result in increased height. Parents can effortlessly augment their children's daily meals with other pharmaceuticals that yield similar effects, readily obtainable through online channels (source:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17128560/).
Furthermore, for a sum of 663,244 INR (comparable to the cost of a 2023 Honda Civic), and by locating a willing clinic, one can undergo quadrilateral limb lengthening surgery, enabling them to achieve a height increase of at least 16 cm. Despite the probability of severe complications associated with such procedures, this amount is affordable for numerous families in developed countries. Consider this: if you observe anyone driving a brand-new vehicle on the road, it implies that they could potentially sell that vehicle and finance quadrilateral limb lengthening surgery, provided they can gather the necessary funds for a one-way trip to India. It is important to note that these figures pertain to older orthopedic technology, whereas even greater height gains are achievable with newer advancements.
I am perpetually puzzled as to why some individuals perceive height as an immutable attribute and insist that all statures are entirely natural. In reality, these interventions, utilizing various modalities such as orthopedic and pharmaceutical approaches, have been available for an extensive period. Moreover, the expense associated with these procedures is not exorbitant if one is firmly determined to undergo surgery and willing to accept potential health risks.
Consider this scenario: if you had a child born on March 6, 1972, and when the child reaches the ages of 9 to 13 (a suitable range for administering rHGH) in 1985 when GH pharmaceuticals became available, the final adult height of said child could be substantially augmented. These pharmaceuticals are not prohibitively expensive and are well within the financial means of the majority of populations in developed countries.
These points provide ample food for thought.
