If you’ve ever been intrigued by biohacking, this Netflix series provides an engaging introduction. Both funny and surprising in its scope, this show features Ole as its host whose exuberant geekiness adds comic relief against what could otherwise be quite serious material.
The documentary interviews prominent figures on both sides of this debate – from scientist Jennifer Doudna to biohacker Josiah Zayner who became notorious for injecting himself with CRISPR publicly.
Unnatural Selection
Unnatural Selection, an Emmy Award-winning Netflix documentary series created by Joe Egender and Leeor Kaufman, explores what it means to take control of evolution from nature by following scientists, doctors, patients and biohackers as they experiment with gene editing technologies. An entertaining yet sometimes uncomfortable glimpse into science’s future!
This show follows multiple patients, as well as their doctors, lab scientists, biohackers attempting to pose as college professors, dog breeders and businessmen trying to commercialize Crispr genetic-altering technology. Two patients suffer from serious genetic conditions threatening their lives – one is going blind while another has HIV.
As the series unfolds, viewers witness these people’s dreams turn into nightmares and their naive optimism dissolve into despair. This documentary showcases some of the key figures involved in this debate – including co-discoverer of CRISPR Jennifer Doudna as well as Josiah Zayner who used CRISPR injections himself publicly to boost muscle growth.
Mia Akerlund encounters Prof. Lorenz at her introductory med class at University of Freiburg and becomes fascinated with his claims that synthetic biology will become the future of medicine. She becomes his disciple, while Jasper his assistant grows closer.
Mia feels compelled to assist her father’s experiments on a drug that may help treat muscular dystrophy in her brother, yet when rumor spreads of a possible global crisis involving genetically engineered organisms she quickly realizes the moral and ethical considerations are far more complex than she ever imagined.
The show also explores the many uses of gene-editing technology, from curing diseases to selecting traits for children genetically. While some see its promise, others worry about eugenics, ecological collapse and power becoming concentrated among a few individuals. Dr. Kevin Esvelt – an evolutionary engineer working to establish gene drive in rodents to eradicate invasive species damaging New Zealand – appears in one episode as part of this dialogue.
Don’t Die
This documentary follows one man’s attempt at biohacking in Bryan Johnson and features interviews with scientists working at the forefront of medicine, merchants selling anti-aging elixirs, and health enthusiasts who already keep careful track of their vital signs.
This series follows three patients — including a woman born with genetic defects, an eye doctor with declining eyesight, and someone carrying HIV — as they undergo DNA-altering treatments. Furthermore, it showcases Professor Jian Ghomeshi who openly advocates this practice, injecting himself with CRISPR-Cas9 injections himself publicly, as well as Josiah Zayner — an avid biohacker claiming he can build muscle by manipulating his cells.
Ultimately, this film poses the question whether a person should have complete freedom to do what they please with their bodies. While immortality may seem appealing, there are ethical considerations that need to be considered and biohacking can be extremely risky; one case involved injecting her own genetically modified cells directly into her bloodstream resulting in her becoming pregnant!
Don’t Die is a fascinating exploration of genetic engineering as a new frontier in human technology, sure to stir debates on ethical considerations of genetic manipulation and our attempts at delaying death. Netflix recently added this documentary series as one of their “documentaries on a topic” offerings, joining others that examine Gamergate and social networking life online.
Biohack Yourself
Are You Wondering If It Would Feel Good To Have Superhuman Focus Or the Ability To Recover Quickly From Workouts? Biohacking may be for You If so, biohacking may be for You. This DIY science approach involves conducting self-experiments and collecting data to optimize body functions – although not all biohacks have scientific backing; so an element of caution must be observed.
This documentary follows the Lolli family as they attempt to unlock their bodies’ peak performance potential through biohacking. Interviewing experts in the field, testing different products and modalities, and providing an inside view into their journeys are all part of biohacking for them – they try everything from red light therapy and infrared saunas to IV drips, oxygen machines, hyperbaric chambers, PEMF devices and PEMA technologies!
Nootropics, natural supplements designed to enhance brain function, are another popular biohack. Nootropics help boost focus, motivation and memory as well as reduce stress, depression and boost energy. Nootropics have become very popular among athletes and entrepreneurs as a means of increasing performance at work and in the gym.
Intermittent fasting is another popular biohack, which involves following an eating plan lasting 3-4 weeks and eliminating foods which could be contributing to specific health conditions, such as gluten, dairy and peanuts. Research shows that fasting can decrease inflammation while increasing metabolism.
One example of biohacking involves the use of InsideTracker, an ultra-personalized system designed to optimize body functions. This device analyzes blood, diet, lifestyle and fitness tracker data in order to pinpoint 43 biomarkers and establish their optimal ranges – it then suggests nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle interventions which will bring them back within these ideal ranges.
Biohacking is an emerging movement to enhance human performance and extend lifespan. While its alluring to want to become superhuman, Michel Foucault identified this desire for perfection as part of an internalized capitalist imperative of increasing efficiency.
Biohackers
Biohackers is an intense new Netflix series inspired by real events at Freiburg University in Germany. In its opening scene, an unconscious woman lies unconscious on a train. While she attempts to gain consciousness again, her fellow passengers fall sick and start dying one by one.
Mia, a young medical student traveling on the train, becomes aware that this virus is something more sinister. Soon enough she detects other indicators pointing towards this disturbing trend.
Biohackers offers an intriguing glimpse into gene modification science during an era of pandemic hype and house quarantine restrictions, exploring this subject with honesty. Not shying away from confronting serious topics related to scientific human experimentation ethics, Biohackers is an engaging drama.
College freshman Mia is a brilliant but naive medical student who enrolls at Freiburg University to learn about Tanja Lorenz’s revolutionary gene-hacking technology taught by star lecturer Tanja Lorenz (Jessica Schwarz). However, her motive for enrolling soon becomes much deeper: Mia hopes to gain access to Lorenz’s top-secret research in order to investigate her brother’s murder and exact revenge on their family.
She quickly finds herself caught up in an extraordinary world filled with glow-in-the-dark mice, gene-modified marijuana plants and underwater pills designed to extend breath holding capacity – experiments conducted by biohackers who serve as real life protagonists of this series. These hackers utilize gene editing not only to improve health and performance but also as an economic opportunity and sense of personal empowerment.
Biohackers is an engaging cinematic experience from Christian Ditter (‘How to Be Single’, ‘Simply Happen’ and Girlboss on Netflix), set amid the crumbling remains of society where science meets madness more often. Featuring an entertaining cast and appealing characters that may resonate with anyone who’s imagined life post quarantine or genetic science as topics for speculation or interest.
Even without actual peril or nail-biting drama, this story remains engaging; with an exhilarating cliffhanger at the end of season one making it hard to put down. Additionally, its charming lead performances provide insightful views into contemporary biology and should make watching worth your while.
