Because genetic engineering tools have become so readily accessible, anyone can now conduct biological experiments at home. Mia finds herself fitting right in with this community after meeting Lorenz’s teaching assistant Jasper and Niklas as flatmates.
They invite her into their home biohacking lab, where they show off a glowing mouse as an attraction – but what’s really going on here?
The concept
Biohacking offers us access to glow-in-the-dark mice, gene-modified weed and payment microchips – all available within reach. This trend democratizes science by allowing individuals to conduct lab experiments once reserved only for top institutions. From altering crops for food supply or implanting genes to cure disease – biohackers push both boundaries of science and ethics further than ever. While it raises ethical questions, it’s exciting to witness just how far human capabilities can extend.
From the creator of Girlboss comes this German series which takes viewers into a world of college students and biohackers experimenting with revolutionary technologies. Mia Akerlund, a first-year medical student enrolled at Freiburg University to gain Prof Tanja Lorenz’s trust, finds herself drawn into an illegal genetic experience world as she begins life at Freiburg – becoming embroiled in rivalries between Lorenz and Jasper and Niklas, among others, as a medical student becomes embroiled in illegal genetic experiences as she begins life anew at Freiburg. This series promises not to disappoint!
The show does a commendable job of depicting both the dangers and realism of biohacking. Its depiction of complex scientific protocols that can go wrong was refreshing in comparison with CSI-style one-step procedures depicted on other shows. While getting science right, however, this series fails to capture true college experience, with Mia and her friends acting more like hard-partying hedonists than typical students.
Biohacking was first coined as an industry buzzword in 1988 to refer to performing biotechnological experiments at home. Originally it referred to people experimenting with all sorts of substances on themselves such as bioluminescent weed and self-surgery implants – all meant as safer ways of testing out toxic chemicals and drugs such as Aaron Traywick’s death illustrate this practice isn’t risk-free.
Biohacking has rapidly evolved since its initial conception. Now an umbrella term for DIY science, bodyhacking and health optimization – from growing algae to genetically modifying food or implanting neural chips into human brains in order to better align AI with human needs – Elon Musk founded Neuralink with the goal of merging biological and technological implants so as to harmonize human and machine intelligence.
The characters
Mia, a medical student at Freiburg University, displays an inexplicable fascination for gene modification technology and secret scientific experiments that she engages in illegally. Additionally, Mia attempts to uncover the truth surrounding his brother’s tragic death.
From the director of Girlboss comes Biohackers: an action thriller which explores how far scientific experimentation should go in terms of ethical considerations and genetic modification of humans. Luna Wedler stars as Mia, an avid genetic hacking student. After joining Prof. Lorenz’s group as part of her revenge plotting strategy.
Mia jumps in to help when a woman collapses on a high-speed train and, upon discovering she has an infectious disease, attempts to save her. Soon, other passengers begin dying, leading Mia to believe the illness may be connected with Prof. Lorenz’s research, leading her to start investigating.
Soon after moving in, she meets her roommates – Lotta (Caro Cult), an aristocrat with promiscuous tendencies; Ole (Sebastian Jakob Doppelbauer), an extreme bodyhacker engaging in various self-experiments; and Chen-Lu (Jing Xiang), an introverted nerd who genetically modifies plants to create things such as beef-flavored mushrooms and bio-piano.
These quirky characters may seem eccentric, but they help create an engaging storyline that will keep viewers engrossed. The show does a good job showing how technology has altered our lives as well as any associated risks.
Biohackers is an engaging sci-fi thriller that will appeal to anyone interested in genetics or technology, as well as providing some hilarious moments that will have you laughing out loud. The performances by its cast were outstanding; Luan Wedler stands out as Mia; Jessica Schwarz as Professor Lorenz; Adrian Julius Tillmann and Sebastian Jakob Doppelbauer also deserve special mention for their outstanding roles.
The plot
As technology has advanced, genetic engineering experiments that were once only possible at large institutions can now take place at home. Biohacking has become increasingly popular due to a number of factors, such as democratizing scientific research, lower sequencing costs, and wider access to tools and methodologies for non-experts. Biohacking has thus become widespread. As part of this movement, people are experimenting with their bodies and designing products that can improve health and personal well-being. Projects range from genetically modifying mushrooms for flavor enhancement, to producing bioluminescent piano keys – to name just two projects! Biohackers is an exciting German drama which addresses these topics through six episodes.
The series opens aboard a train as passengers anxiously anticipate being examined by a physician dressed in biohazard suits to check for signs of disease. Unfortunately, disaster strikes when biology student Jasper (Adrian Julius Tillmann) releases mosquitos carrying an infectious virus onto board that results in all but Mia being killed during an outbreak caused by these mosquitos – who is traveling to visit Niklas (Thomas Prenn).
As the story develops, it becomes evident that Lorenz is responsible for an outbreak. Writer Christian Ditter (renowned in the US for directing How to Be Single and Netflix series Girlboss) has written an exciting thriller which examines what ethical science means as well as which lines may be crossed for medical progress.
Set in Freiburg, Germany — which the show describes as a “lovely little big town” — Biohackers features quirky characters ranging from an introverted Chinese nerd to a sad rich party girl. The writing is fast-paced and the comedy solid; yet Biohackers isn’t without its flaws: such as overused tropes and lazy storytelling.
Even with its flaws, this sci-fi thriller deserves to be watched for those interested in medical research ethics and sci-fi thrillers alike. It boasts a compelling premise and dramatic plot twists will keep viewers on edge until its cliffhanger conclusion.
The conclusion
Biohackers is not intended for those easily discomfited. Yet its twisty plot keeps viewers intrigued until its thrilling cliffhanger finale. Created by Christian Ditter and featuring Luna Wedler as medical student Mia and Jessica Schwarz as Professor Tanja Lorenz as central characters; inspired by coronavirus pandemic and real gene-editing kits (reportedly inspired by coronavirus pandemic and gene editing kits) the show also includes stereotypical characters like wealthy biopharmaceutical executives, medical students and transhumanists dedicated to altering themselves for seemingly impractical endeavors ( to name just some of its protagonists).
Mia Akerlund, a new medical student in Freiburg with an intense dislike for Professor Tanja Lorenz, an esteemed genetics and reproductive medicine scientist who runs her own institute, comes to Freiburg with an agenda against Professor Lorenz, whom she holds personally responsible. They clash over research ethics; Lorenz favors using human guinea pigs for her Homo Deus project while Mia believes genetic enhancement should benefit humanity as a whole.
Biohackers is an engaging thriller that asks a number of pertinent questions about scientific experimentation, ethical considerations and humanity preservation. Additionally, this film poses what limits may exist to scientific advancement in order to save it all? It asks what boundaries one shouldn’t cross when doing scientific work for humanity’s benefit?
Biohackers is an entertaining story that manages to capture the excitement and drama of experimental science without becoming overly sci-fi or complex. The dialogue is sharp and the supporting cast compelling; characters such as Chen-Lu (Jing Xiang), who reminds one of Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, and Ole, an irreverent nerd conducting dangerous experiments on himself provide some much-needed comic relief in an otherwise serious narrative.
Mia becomes aware of an explosion on board the train she’s traveling on and sees Jasper and Winter still alive, which she moves to safety using a shaft from an underground lab shaft. After hearing suspicious noises she realizes Traywick is trying to steal their work.
