The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

Controlling Genetic Destiny with Synthetic Biology, Part 1 – Andrew Hessel : 913

Mar 9, 2022

In this engaging discussion, Andrew Hessel, a pioneering microbiologist and geneticist, delves into the revolutionary realm of synthetic biology. He explores the ethical implications of genetically editing traits like infertility and depression. Hessel shares his insights on DNA manipulation and mRNA technology's potential in anti-aging and combating diseases. The conversation highlights the rapid evolution of biohacking and the exciting possibilities it brings to enhance human capabilities while addressing the urgent questions of accessibility and safety in these advancements.

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INSIGHT

Cells and DNA

Cells are fundamental units of life, whether single-celled organisms or complex humans.
DNA, like magnetic tape, stores the program, and sequencing digitizes this code.

ANECDOTE

Hacking Cancer with Viruses

Dave Asprey and Andrew Hessel discussed hacking cancer using viruses in 2018.
Viruses rewrite genomes naturally; synthetic biology allows purposeful rewriting.

INSIGHT

DNA Synthesis and Cells

DNA synthesizers print DNA based on digital code, but they're not yet desktop-ready.
Cells act as the "printer," manufacturing viruses based on inserted DNA code.

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IN THIS EPISODE OF THE HUMAN UPGRADE™...

… you’ll learn about the implications of synthetic biology in Part 1 of a special two-part episode.

Andrew Hessel and Amy Webb recently authored, “The Genesis Machine: Our Quest to Rewrite Life in the Age of Synthetic Biology.” This Part 1 episode gets into the scientific perspective with Andrew. Part 2 on episode #914 explores the futurist perspective with Amy.

Ask yourself, if you could edit your genes—to fix infertility, diabetes or even depression—would you do it? That’s the premise, and the promise, of synthetic biology. And a reality you’ll have to wrestle with. To make these decisions intelligently requires a deeper—and urgent—understanding of what’s happening in science.

Right now, scientists are rewriting the rules of our reality. They can use computers to gain access to the cells of any living organism and write new, potentially better, biological code.

Andrew—a microbiologist and geneticist—works on the leading edge of genomics and bioinformatics. He’s been immersed in the world of synthetic biology for years and joins the show to explain new advancements.

As a scientist, communicator, and investor, he explores the future of biology and biotechnology. He co-founded the Center of Excellence for Engineering Biology and the Genome Project-write. The Genome Project-write is an international scientific effort that designs and builds large genomes, including the human genome.

As we embrace that life no longer will be a game of chance, it will be the result of design, selection and choice, morechoices have to be made. Decisions like who gets to program life, create new life forms, and even bring former life back from extinction?

“The Genesis Machine" is a book about science, but it's not written for scientists, Andrew says. “It's about some amazing people and stories and we've got some fun scenarios that help you think about where some of this stuff is going. But really, this is a technology that we're all building day by day.”

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