Unnatural Selection is a four-episode series about biohacking, the trend where ordinary people experiment with genetic engineering in their own homes. The show showcases HIV patient Tristan Roberts who underwent gene therapy injection to rid himself of his virus; also included is Josiah Zayner who sells home lab kits through mail order.
What is biohacking?
Biohacking is an emerging movement to enhance human body and mind through various means, from following strict diets to implanting devices beneath the skin. Many see biohacking as an alternative to pharmaceutical pharmaceutical companies.
Some biohackers might seem extreme, but many ordinary people are exploring new methods to optimize their health and wellbeing. You might already be practicing biohacking without even realizing it! For example, maybe you wear a fitness tracker, take supplements, or use apps to manage weight loss goals; or perhaps you have tried increasing focus or concentration by practicing meditation and mindfulness or taking nootropics (drugs that improve cognitive function).
Biohacking is an experimentation and personal improvement philosophy. The goal isn’t necessarily to outshone everyone else; rather it’s to live your best life and unlock your fullest potential. While many biohackers pursue biohacking for health reasons, others might seek cyborg-like features or enhanced senses.
Many biohacking techniques do not come backed by medical or scientific evidence and should only be attempted after careful investigation, particularly those which involve inserting chemicals or equipment directly into the body. Before trying any new health hack, be sure to thoroughly research it first!
Biohacking techniques that have become popular include cold plunges, juicing, fasting and eating superfoods. Some biohackers have even experimented with more extreme techniques, like running electricity through their brain or injecting stem cells directly. Although such procedures may provide health benefits, any such undertakings should only be undertaken under medical guidance and supervision.
What is Unnatural Selection?
Unnatural Selection is a four-episode Netflix series that explores the cutting-edge field of genetic engineering. The show follows several individuals that have engaged in risky experiments using DNA-altering technologies, including biohackers dressed up like professors to teach college classes; dog breeders; and two patients living with genetic diseases that cause blindness or HIV infections.
All throughout the show we see how these individuals use CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology to change their DNA. CRISPR works like a molecular scalpel by cutting and replacing genes in DNA strands – it has revolutionized genetic research.
The show also investigates potential downsides associated with technological advancement. Many of those featured have strong opinions regarding what should and shouldn’t be done with technology; for example, one individual trying to perform DIY human genome editing in his garage raised significant ethical considerations that I found valid.
Couples using CRISPR to attempt to create their own embryos also have raised major ethical concerns over the process, even going as far as filing a lawsuit against scientists they allege are trying to take advantage of them.
Kevin Esvelt is an evolutionary engineer working to assist a New Zealand town deal with an outbreak of invasive rodent species that are decimating native bird populations. To this end, he hopes genetic engineering could create something known as gene drive, whereby these rodents spread a specific set of genes through natural selection, thus protecting native bird populations while simultaneously fighting climate change.
What is the series about?
Unnatural Selection, a six-episode limited series, follows biohackers, scientists, doctors, patients, conservationists and conservationists as they attempt to alter the future of humanity through illegal genetic experimentation – leading viewers into an intoxicating world filled with profound ethical dilemmas that come with such endeavors.
Director Joe Egender and writer Leeor Kauffman chronicle the hacker scientists experimenting with gene editing to change our world for good – from disease eradication to trait selection and designer babies, these scientists seek control over evolution itself by altering genetic code directly.
Josiah Zayner is one of the central characters, an unconventional biohacker who has brought DIY gene editing kits to market (yes, everyone). He claims he successfully edited his own DNA using CRISPR and created an increase in muscle growth gene. Furthermore, he openly advocates using technology such as CRISPR to reshape human genome and injects himself publicly with modified DNA in an effort to increase strength.
Mia, a college freshman at Freiburg University who becomes involved with illicit genetic research after seeking revenge for the death of her brother. After meeting brilliant biologist Jasper and brooding roommate Niklas involved with illegal experiments, she must decide if she is willing to sacrifice her morality for these new friends’ good intentions. With Traywick as their leader at Ascendance Biomedical she works at home on an HIV cure using Crispr while realizing they may not necessarily be doing it with altruistic intentions in mind and begins losing faith with their altruistic ambitions as partners become less altruistic over time.
What are the main characters?
The story takes place in Freiburg, Germany: an adorable college town that houses an innovative university that is on the cutting-edge of genetic research. At Freiburg’s university campus is where Mia, an early career medical student, discovers revolutionary biohacking technology after meeting biology majors Jasper and Niklas; later learning of their connection with one genius scientist with ulterior motives (Niklas).
As the series unfolds, we see that biohacking isn’t simply used to increase performance or health – it can also serve as a form of social control. One character uses CRISPR-Cas9 to create glowing mice as well as, more alarmingly, human clones; genetic engineering of young girls to look exactly like their mothers can be terrifying enough; what makes it truly frightening are scientists creating people that never age!
This series is entertaining, fast-paced and thought provoking as you consider its implications for society and business. Light on sci fi and heavy on mystery elements with some comic relief provided by Mia and her roommates who all enthusiastic biohackers.
They have petri dishes in their fridge and DIY genome-edited mushrooms in their pasta, not to mention payment microchips in their hands – it’s hard to say how much of this is based in reality and how much is sci-fi goofiness, but all are having lots of fun.
Luna Wedler and Jessica Schwarz make a compelling duo of lead characters. Luna’s quest for revenge against Professor Tanja Lorenz and her lab is what drives the plot forward. Smartlab Architects was brought in to ensure that both modern labs as well as DIY biohacker spaces looked authentic, while still meeting all necessary specifications of the series.
What is the conclusion?
Biohackers are individuals who experiment with their body in order to maximize its performance and reach peak fitness. Similar to tuning a car for maximum speed and handling performance, biohacking involves taking risks with both speed and handling performance that should not be taken lightly; but for anyone wanting to better themselves then investing time and energy in this endeavor may well be worthwhile.
This Netflix series is an intriguing fictional thriller that puts synthetic biology at its core. The series centers around an ambitious pharmaceutical executive, two young medical students and an assortment of stereotypical biohackers as they push scientific boundaries forward – providing a fast-paced technothriller with plenty of thrills and turns!
This show is both well-acted and compelling, not being afraid to tackle difficult topics such as sex, gender and relationships with an openness that’s refreshing. Production values are high and its soundtrack fantastic; its characters easy to connect with while its mysteries well developed; my only real criticism would be its frequent forays into sci-fi territory and biohacker community not depicted more vividly than it could.
CRISPR should not be treated as a miracle cure, but should instead be seen as a tool that requires further development and testing before being applied for human therapy use.
Biohackers in this show are depicted as anti-establishment rebels. They advocate that when scientists make significant breakthroughs they should be available to everyone instead of only the wealthy few – despite what it might sound like this would lead to further social inequality and would also be unfair for doctors, embryologists and geneticists working hard at helping more people conceive healthy babies using assisted reproductive technology (ART).
