Josiah Zayner boasts many skills. He holds a Ph.D. in biophysics and synthetic biology, runs his own company that sells do-it-yourself CRISPR kits, and regularly administers this gene-editing tool himself.
Last year he administered himself with a gene cocktail intended to increase muscle mass and streamed the procedure live on YouTube – though does this constitute practicing medicine without an official license?
What is biohacking?
Biohacking is the practice of engaging in self-experimentation to enhance physical and mental wellbeing. This practice employs various disciplines – neuroscience, genetics, fitness and nutrition among them – in order to make measurable changes in one’s body and mind. Biohackers may use supplements or devices like Fitbits in order to monitor progress as they track metrics such as heart rate or blood sugar.
Josiah Zayner is an esteemed biohacker who has garnered headlines with his controversial experiments on himself. As an ex-synthetic biology researcher at NASA and self-taught DNA editing expert, his experiments with himself include attempted fecal transplants and injecting himself with CRISPR-Cas9 reagents; such experiments have caused debate over whether his cavalier approach democratizes life-saving research or plays god with his body.
Zayner is also the founder of ODIN, which sells DIY gene editing kits that allow the public to experiment on themselves. According to him, making such technology widely accessible will enable humanity to address global problems like climate change, hunger and disease more efficiently. His unconventional biohacking approaches have garnered much media attention as well as his personal blog.
Though many may view biohacker activities as risky, most practitioners take steps to mitigate any possible risks associated with their experiments on themselves and use only high-quality products and accessories. They will also carefully read scientific papers and online resources in order to stay abreast of advancements in science.
Biohackers use both independent research as well as consulting medical professionals and scientists to ensure the safety of their experiments. Biohackers may also take part in open discussions with regulators regarding new biotechnologies; such openness helps facilitate an open dialogue that may ultimately result in more effective regulation.
Why do biohackers do it?
Biohackers often pursue bio-experiments as a form of self-expression or personal improvement, while others, like Dave Asprey of Bulletproof brand fame, push medical procedures to their limits in pursuit of greater longevity and improved health. He injects stem cells into his body as well as uses a hyperbaric chamber for increased oxygen levels, increased muscle mass gain, and accelerating healing processes.
Other biohackers are driven by normative beliefs in their right to conduct science. Traditional scientific institutions may seem too slow, cumbersome and biased against them – yet some are spurred into action due to a lack of cures for certain illnesses or high prices for prescription drugs.
Most biohackers strive to enhance their quality of life, whether that means decreasing allergies, increasing focus and building more muscle, or reaching higher spiritual states. Biohackers may experiment with various supplements or diets until they find something that works for them; some biohackers even keep food diaries or use elimination diets to identify foods which make them feel unwell before temporarily eliminating those items from their diets to see whether symptoms improve or worsen over time.
Biohackers typically conduct their experiments outside formal science institutions where ethical approval must first be secured before conducting human subject experiments. Some, like Josiah Zayner who was recently investigated by California regulators for practicing medicine without a license, livestream their experiments on YouTube to educate others and promote responsible citizen science.
Academics, ethicists and regulators have expressed concerns regarding the biohacker movement’s rise. Academics have raised issues regarding whether informal research conducted by biohackers is adequately regulated or even safe for the public; some risks associated with biohacking include misuse of regenerative medicine, improper gene editing techniques and using unapproved products and devices. As a response, global biohackers established voluntary guidelines and established codes of conduct; some biohackers use anonymized internet accounts to avoid regulatory scrutiny – something which may undermine their goal of encouraging responsible research goals.
How do biohackers do it?
Biohackers often employ do-it-yourself (DIY) techniques to conduct biological experiments at home or small labs without access to university laboratories. Their experiments can range from manipulating DNA so plants glow in the dark to more extreme methods like intermittent fasting and supplements that alter body chemistry, improve cognitive function, or boost physical performance.
Many biohackers go beyond simply increasing longevity and physical performance to seek deeper knowledge of themselves and their own bodies through biohacking. They do so using various modern science tools like nutrigenomics, DNA sequencing and even body scanning; some believe the best way to optimize health is to constantly monitor it yourself rather than waiting until regular appointments to do so.
This may involve taking blood samples and measuring nutrient levels to observe how supplements, diets and lifestyle choices impact the body. This approach may also serve to detect early warning signs of disease like vascular abnormalities or tumors.
One of the best known examples of biohacking involves Josiah Zayner, an individual known for performing experiments on himself that have garnered both positive and negative attention. These include implanting another person’s microbiome into his own body, trying to genetically change his skin color using CRISPR modifications, and injecting himself with CRISPR modifications in order to increase muscle mass. He describes himself as a self-proclaimed biohacker who advocates that scientific advancement should be accessible to everyone, serving as an advocate for inexpensive DIY DNA sequencing/gene editing kits through his company The ODIN.
Although biohackers have sometimes been accused of engaging in dubious or dangerous practices, the majority are dedicated to improving their health and well-being. It should be noted, however, that certain biohacking experiments can be dangerous or even life-threatening and should never be attempted at home without consulting with medical professionals first.
What are the risks of biohacking?
Biohackers employ various techniques to enhance their health and wellbeing, from simple lifestyle modifications such as intermittent fasting or hot or cold therapy, to more experimental technology like implanted microchips. While some biohacks can be done safely at home, others could pose serious injuries or even lead to death; so to minimize risks when biohacking at home it is wise to follow a comprehensive plan that takes into account both your individual health history and needs.
Many biohackers possess an incredible passion for science, with a desire to share what knowledge they’ve gleaned with their communities. While some see biohacking as an act of activism, others are simply motivated by an urge to experiment with new technologies before traditional scientific institutions have had a chance. Josiah Zayner of The ODIN biohacking supply company has drawn scrutiny for his experiments with genetic engineering and body modification; his platform now promotes DIY genome editing kits which can be used at home without needing medical license.
These kits enable users to make DNA-altering modifications on their own, such as reversing aging or adding muscle-boosting genes. While some biohacking experiments may involve nonhuman animals, grinders perform extreme biohacks on themselves – undertaking dangerous stunts like injecting younger blood in order to reverse aging, or performing fecal transplants to experiment with microbiome engineering.
Biohacking‘s murky nature can cause confusion for regulators who must strike a balance between public safety concerns and encouraging citizen science. One key challenge lies in how biohackers often hide behind anonymity online, making it harder for authorities to track them and hold them accountable; furthermore, many biohackers themselves tend to have an ambivalent view towards regulation – sometimes actively working against established systems!
Regulators can lessen these risks by encouraging open relationships between biohackers and regulators and providing education on what their legal rights and limitations are. Furthermore, regulators should create a consistent legal framework which protects citizens while discouraging any misuse of gene-editing tools for unethical uses.
