David Mindell, a senior researcher of Zoology at UC Berkeley and author of "The Network of Life," challenges conventional evolutionary views. He discusses how evolution resembles a decentralized network, where horizontal gene transfer among species plays a pivotal role. Mindell highlights the implications of this shift for public health and ethics, particularly around genetic enhancement and lifespan research. He also delves into the role of viruses and the revolutionary potential of CRISPR technology in reshaping our understanding of evolution.