DIY biology, also known as Do-it-Yourself Biology or DIY Bio, is a movement allowing ordinary people to perform biological experiments at home with tools and materials previously reserved only for universities or pharmaceutical companies. Biohackers gain access to tools and materials once reserved only for use by medical institutions and pharmaceutical companies.
You may have heard of Jo Zayner, the self-taught scientist whose attempt at altering his DNA using CRISPR raised many eyebrows and received widespread condemnation. Unfortunately, Zayner is far from alone: numerous other individuals are using similar technology.
CRISPR kits
CRISPR made waves in 2015, when it first made an appearance among scientists as an amazing revolution in gene editing technology. Scientists could now modify genes in almost any organism from bacteria and yeast to pigs and zebrafish with ease, and now its reach extends into homes and classrooms via DIY kits available for less than $150 that allow middle schoolers to experiment with DNA. Biohackers behind such kits advocate that making science accessible to everyone should be encouraged by providing access.
DIY kits sold online allow people to easily create plasmids and guide RNAs that allow them to cut and paste gene sequences into cells, altering their genetic makeup or producing mutant strains. While not clinically applicable, this technology enables individuals to test its limits and explore its possibilities – many times with livestreamed experiments drawing millions of viewers – but this does not imply they are necessarily safe procedures.
Furthermore, DIY kits may cause harmful mutations to cells introduced with them, leading to viruses, bacteria or cancer forming within that host cell – creating a serious public health concern. Furthermore, these DIY kits are not regulated by government agencies and could become dangerous if improperly sterilized or stored.
Biohackers have also experimented with other organisms, including plants and animals. They use CRISPR to engineer immune cells that target cancer, viruses that target antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and female mosquitoes that cannot reproduce (to control population). While it remains to be seen if their experiments will result in any practical applications, their experiments certainly piqued many observers’ interest.
Josiah Zayner of ODIN, which sells DIY CRISPR kits, is among these enthusiasts. He believes that scientific communities have become too risk-averse and timid when it comes to CRISPR technology; therefore, its full potential remains unfulfilled. Biohackers like him can push back against what was thought possible with CRISPR technology; opening up possibilities and possibilities to humanity in turn.
Glow-in-the-dark yeast
DIY genetic engineering has opened up biology to anyone with an interest, including biohackers who reprogramme bacteria to glow in the dark – one of many popular techniques used as part of biohacking‘s rising popularity. Biohackers experiment with microorganisms, plants and even animals in home labs while exploring methods to alter their genetic code to develop medical applications or even medical therapies.
Josiah Zayner, an award-winning former NASA synthetic biologist who is now founder of Odin, holds a PhD in biophysics and enjoys pushing scientific experimentation to its limits. Last year he live streamed an unsanctioned fecal transplant intended to alter his microbiome while crowdfunding kits so others can alter their bacteria using CRISPR. Zayner strives to make science accessible for everyone regardless of academic credentials or budget constraints;
Odin’s latest venture is a $160 kit designed to turn ordinary yeast into glowing-in-the-dark beer, using jellyfish genes to train it to express green fluorescent protein that glows under blacklight. It includes basic laboratory equipment like pipettes and petri dishes as well as instructions for mixing yeast with water and honey for fermentation resulting in fermented beverage with approximately 5% alcohol content – offering users an engaging learning experience in genetic engineering and biohacking. Odin cites it as an engaging way of exploring genetic engineering and biohacking while enjoying learning more complex topics such as genetic engineering or biohacking from those involved!
Though many biohackers are amateurs, their experiments can still be dangerous if conducted improperly. For instance, they could attempt to engineer bacteria into weapons which could cause illness or death or alter an animal’s DNA to create mutants which have significant ramifications on biodiversity. Biohackers must be cognizant of all potential risks when conducting their experiments with potentially hazardous organisms.
To combat these threats, government should support biohacking activities by subsidizing community labs that gather scientists together. This will encourage collaboration and report any security risks they identify while helping keep track of biohacking activities.
Vaccines
A vaccine is a mixture of viruses or bacteria designed to ward off infection by mimicking its symptoms and training the immune system to recognize them as threats. It often includes fragments that won’t cause illness but still trigger an immune response – though vaccines may cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to latex or egg proteins; moreover, many need refrigeration in order to be shipped overseas and used effectively.
One biohacker, Josiah Zayner, has attempted to engineer a genetically engineered virus into an antiherpes treatment and published his experiments as part of Citizen Bio. Known for risky and audacious experiments, The Odin Company sells DIY kits for genetic engineering of animals and bacteria as well as organizing conferences like Biohack The Planet that brings these DIY scientists together.
Biohackers pose a potential threat to public safety if left unsupervised. They could use DNA synthesis companies to order viruses or bacteria that could infect people, as well as make their own vaccines or cures, which may prove hazardous if not monitored correctly or tested thoroughly enough.
Though the DIY community can be an invaluable source, law enforcement and DNA synthesis companies must be vigilant in monitoring it to avoid potential health hazards and ensure its members do not become sources of new medicines in the future.
DIY biology has grown increasingly popular as technology and lab equipment have become more accessible and user-friendly, yet remains unregulated – raising fears that do-it-yourself biologists might create dangerous organisms or toxins for terrorist or criminal use. Increased awareness, monitoring by DNA synthesis companies and advice from law enforcement are helping prevent this from occurring.
Tree frogs
Tree frogs are one of the world’s most captivating amphibians. Living both on land and trees, their diverse lifestyle has enabled them to adapt perfectly to their environments. Unfortunately, tree frogs are susceptible to the deadly amphibian disease chytridiomycosis which has seen their populations plummet, yet remain resilient and innovative despite this threat. A recent study from Nagoya University provides further insight into these amazing frogs by showing them optimizing nesting locations depending on environmental factors.
This research will be published in PLOS ONE and may lead to greater understanding of how amphibians survive, providing researchers with more effective strategies for conserving these frogs.
Green tree frogs are an extraordinary species of amphibian that inhabit diverse environments worldwide. These amphibians are famed for their remarkable camouflaging abilities to evade predators while adapting to their environments by developing special toe pads that help them climb trees – yet still face threats from humans and other animals.
These amphibians are nocturnal hunters that feed on insects and their own larvae. Birds, reptiles and larger fish prey upon these tree frogs; additionally they face threats due to habitat destruction and pollution; their official conservation status is “least concern”, yet still vulnerable.
Male tree frogs attract females by emitting an intricate series of calls from trees or the ground, often sounding like nasal bell-like tones called “queenk-queenk-queenk.” To protect their territory they are also territorial; fighting other males for 30 to 90 seconds to defend it may involve wrestling, pushing and kicking each other until one finally wins out and takes their female hostages.
Some biohackers are willing to go the extra mile when it comes to experimenting with their bodies and minds. Josiah Zayner, an ex-NASA biochemist turned self-proclaimed biohacker is one such individual. He posted videos showing himself injecting CRISPR gene editing technologies to improve muscle growth. Furthermore, his company The Odin sells mail-order kits for home gene editing kits.