Since the advent of gene editing technologies and DIY kits, there has been an surge of interest in genetic biohacking – scientific experiments conducted outside formal lab settings by individuals without formal scientific training – this practice raises important ethical considerations and should be undertaken cautiously.
Biohackers often consider themselves educators, making complex health sciences accessible through YouTube channels and podcasts. One such educator is Dr Andrew Huberman’s popular YouTube channel on how to optimize longevity via exercise, diet, nootropics and sleep.
How to biohack your genes
Biohacking refers to any experimentation and hacks used by individuals to enhance their health and well-being, from eating healthier diets to DIY biology projects. Many of these methods can be safely implemented on your own while others may require professional medical guidance. When biohacking, take small steps at first and track results carefully – for instance if trying to shed pounds it’s essential that you record how much weight has changed before and after any modifications – this will give a clear indication as to whether the method is working or not.
Genetic biohacking encompasses an array of experiments that can be carried out at home using consumer tools available today, such as gene editing (allowing individuals to alter the DNA of bacteria, plants and other nonhuman organisms) or human cell manipulation via microchip implants – with risks including poor safety measures and lack of informed consent, as well as potential entry of unproven treatments into commerce.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has broad powers to oversee genetic biohacking‘s public health impacts, with jurisdiction that extends much further than most participants realize. Raw biological materials, traditional drug products and do-it-yourself CRISPR kits fall within its purview as drugs (3) – something especially valuable to biohackers who provide materials free of charge or trade freely with each other.
FDA has taken no formal enforcement actions against genetic biohackers, reflecting their policy of exercising “enforcement discretion” due to limited resources.
However, FDA has an opportunity to advance public health by working closely with genetic biohacking communities as their practices and norms evolve (4). This could involve providing education on FDA’s jurisdiction limits while helping create a culture of safety that transcends informal norms such as risk, secrecy and maverickism often found among these groups.
Identify your genes
Biohacking is the practice of optimizing one’s body and mind through various techniques, technologies, and lifestyle changes. Also referred to as DIY biology, its practitioners use tools like technology-assisted monitoring systems, supplements, diet and exercise programs, genetic modification and intermittent fasting strategies as part of biohacking strategies – with popular techniques including intermittent fasting, decreasing blue light exposure and taking nootropic supplements being among those most often utilized by biohacking enthusiasts. Before embarking on more advanced forms of biohacking it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider before embarking on more ambitious biohacks.
Biohackers are often self-taught individuals who work to understand how their bodies operate in order to enhance health, performance and well-being. With roots in computer hacking, this movement aims to apply principles of technology to human biology – early biohackers believed that health was too precious an asset to leave up to luck or chance; the goal is therefore taking control over one’s biology to reach maximum potential while mitigating risks.
Some biohackers may disregard safety guidelines, while others abide by them. Indeed, many biohackers belong to community labs which may help promote safety as they provide access to materials not readily available elsewhere. Unfortunately, while such community labs strive to establish norms for biohacking they still may not fully police genetic biohacking activities.
As such, biohacking poses many threats to public health. Most significantly, this practice raises serious concerns over individuals forgoing proven treatments in favor of cheaper yet unproven DIY genetic interventions or, at extreme points, germline gene editing techniques that have yet to prove their efficacy. Thus, public regulators such as FDA must address such concerns directly.
FDA can address these concerns by providing education about biohacking activities and how to minimize risks, making clear which activities fall under their jurisdiction, seeking feedback from biohacking communities about regulation approaches and using patent law as a deterrent against biohackers from marketing DIY CRISPR kits that could potentially cause harm – further considering tort claims against those who distribute such kits.
Edit your genes
Biohackers who want to experiment with gene editing using DIY kits and classes may try their hand at gene editing – though this can be dangerous and requires extensive expertise, tools, such as centrifuges, and techniques in order to successfully edit DNA in plants or cells. It should also be remembered that editing one’s genome requires both risky behavior and expertise from professionals in order to produce desirable outcomes.
One common biohack is to take supplements to boost performance and health. Unfortunately, many of these supplements are unregulated by the FDA and haven’t been rigorously tested to demonstrate their efficacy or safety – they often sell small bottles with vague claims that they can improve your wellbeing; additionally, many contain multiple ingredients which haven’t been studied together in one person’s body.
If you want to explore biohacking, working with a trained professional is key to making sure you get the most from your efforts. A professional can assist in setting realistic goals and choosing an approach tailored specifically for you; additionally they can advise on how to avoid pseudoscience and risky practices.
One common biohack is using red and near-infrared light therapy to counteract aging and encourage healing, by activating cell regeneration and increasing ATP production – even treating cancer patients!
Another biohack to reduce inflammation and enhance immunity is adopting a blood type diet to lower inflammation and strengthen immunity. This method may prove especially helpful for individuals with certain genetic mutations such as hemochromatosis or celiac disease; however, before embarking on this biohack it’s wise to consult your physician first.
Successful biohacking requires understanding your body’s physiology and the interactions it has with lifestyle factors, including diet. Following medical advice, using only scientifically verified hacks that have been approved by professionals such as your physician. For this to work effectively, reading up on recent trends in science and technology would also be helpful; popular health and wellness podcasts like Kayla Itsines’ Sweat Daily or Ali Abdaal’s The Productivity Show could also be of help here.
Create a healthy lifestyle
Biohacking is a do-it-yourself approach to improving health and boosting human performance, with various lifestyle changes, supplements, wearable devices and tech devices used as components of this practice. The primary goal is optimizing body and mind performance through technology-enhanced changes to biology; gene editing techniques may also be included as experiments in biohacking practices; however it must be remembered that such practices are experimental in nature and should not be taken as medical advice.
Some biohackers believe the public should play a greater role in scientific experimentation. Unfortunately, this approach could prove hazardous if people do not use extreme caution; for example, using stimulants or fasting too quickly to lose weight too rapidly could cause their blood sugar levels to plummet too far, leading to illness. Furthermore, it’s essential that any products or supplements tried are tested and proven safe; you can do this by reviewing each website’s credentials which include references to scientific studies.
DIY biology is one form of biohacking, in which DNA experiments are performed outside a lab or doctor’s office. While most DIY biologists distinguish between technological and ethical considerations in their work, some take no precautions in terms of general safety rules when conducting these experiments – including using their own cells or genetically modified plants/animals as subjects – which could result in tragic outcomes such as the accidental DNA modification that led to the death of a chicken due to someone trying to improve its fertility.
One popular biohack is light therapy. Similar to hot packs or heating pads, light therapy uses red and near-infrared light waves to promote cell repair and reduce inflammation, helping improve mood while increasing metabolism and energy. Though its full effects remain unclear, light therapy provides a good place to begin taking control of your own wellbeing.
Biohacking has become an increasingly popular trend and more people are taking control of their own health by biohacking. Standard medical care does not suffice for maintaining good health; biohacking may help people stay healthy while preventing diseases that shorten life expectancies. But before making major lifestyle changes on your own, please seek guidance from healthcare providers first.
