Introduction
Biohacking, a growing biotechnological movement focused on do-it-yourself biology, could lead to major changes in our lifetime. The age of personal biotech is approaching as individuals, communities, and even small organizations focus on the idea of human enhancement.
Despite a warning from the federal government about gene augmentation, many biohackers have altered their DNA using CRISPR — a gene editing tool that has been offered to the public by companies supporting the biohacking movement.
Meanwhile, others choose to have microchip implantations to replace keys, cards, and even passwords. Although many in the scientific community criticize amateur scientists, especially those who tinker with human genes in homemade biolabs, the enhancement of the human body with technology seems to be gaining traction among certain groups.
When discovering the double helix, James Watson and Francis Crick understood that DNA stored the hereditary information¹ that is passed on to each generation and that it directed the world of the cell. However, still unclear was the genetic code — the process for translating a nucleus acid sequence into an ordered polypeptide sequence. Geneticists still had to overcome certain barriers. Scientists were determined to reveal how DNA influenced the characteristics of an organism. Cracking the genetic code would eliminate any limitation in studying DNA.
In 1956, the RNA Tie Club established the theoretical framework which would assist in demonstrating that the genetic code was triple-based¹. Five years later, Sydney Brenner and Francis Crick would conduct a scientific experiment which proved that each nucleotide triplet or codon specifies a particular amino acid¹. A decade later, such monumental discoveries in the world of molecular biology would enable scientists to genetically engineer DNA.
Biologists needed to determine how to isolate and “amplify” a specific gene. Fortunately, numerous discoveries in the 1970s resulted in the emergence of recombinant DNA — a specific type of technology which would allow scientists to edit DNA¹. Essentially, geneticists were given a “pair of molecular scissors that would cut the DNA text into manageable sections …”¹ which would allow us to manipulate those pieces.
Did the pioneers of biotechnology ever predict that their research would fuel a growing movement focused on biologically enhancing the human body?
“Four members of the RNA Tie Club, 1955. Clockwise from upper left: Francis Crick, Leslie Orgel, James Watson and Alexander Rich. Founded by George Gamow, the RNA Tie Club met twice a year in pursuit of greater understanding of RNA.”¹
Biohacking is a relatively new phenomenon which may gradually transform the world, enhancing every human. Non-traditional researchers who wish to explore biological augmentation and develop human-machine integration have created a small community to construct biolabs — whether it be in someone’s kitchen or in a garage.
Beginning in the early 2000s, amateurs have been attempting to mimic the techniques used by large universities and government laboratories in order to successfully distribute the tools of biohacking at cheap prices. Many biohackers believe that the biological experiments being performed in home labs could potentially benefit the health and well-being of the general public, departing from previous requirements which restricted many scientific advancements to be found in university or government labs. The biological practices and techniques performed by Biohackers are considered to be taboo by traditional researchers, therefore, pushing the biohacking community into the spotlight.
In 1998, Cybernetics Professor, Kevin Warwick, implanted a small radio frequency transmitter into his arm which allowed him to switch on lights and open doors with an upward motion of the arm. Meanwhile, Josiah Zayner, a global leader in the biohacking movement, is known for his campaign to provide genetic engineering CRISPR kits to the general public.
The Open Insulin Project, a prominent example of the biohacker movement, is an organization which strives to develop the first open source protocol to produce insulin². The organization describes themselves to be “a team of Bay Area biohackers working on newer, simpler, less expensive ways to make insulin”².
The biohacking movement even expands into the world of human augmentation and implantations. The emergence of microchips in society could potentially transform man into machine. Implantations are at the forefront of the biohacker movement.
British engineer and Cybernetics professor, Kevin Warwick, is known as the man who biohacked his own body. During his career at the University of Reading, Warwick began a series of experiments which he deemed to be “Project Cyborg”. In 1998, Warwick inserted an electronic implant into his arm which could directly interact with the human nervous system and the brain. The implant consisted of a RFID — a radio frequency transmitter. The chip uses electromagnetic fields in order to reach and identify specific objects. Such a small chip can carry up to 2,000 bytes of data.
“Perhaps the most common implant tried out is the radio frequency identification device (RFID), more recently in the form of a near field communication (NFC) version. This is essentially the same technology as is used in contactless payment cards…”⁴
The RFID device allowed Professor Warwick to turn on lights, open doors automatically, ultimately connecting him to the university’s computer system. In 2002, Warwick decided to push the envelope by developing a more sophisticated experiment which involved inserting implants in not only his nervous system, but his wife’s as well. After inputting a hundred-electrode array into his body, which could connect his nervous system to a computer, an identical chip was implanted in his wife, Irena.
By extending the limits of what is possible, Warwick was able to investigate nerve-to-nerve communication. Furthermore, Warwick used this setup to control a robotic hand-enabling him to experience sensations of pressure and force. The development of technology similar to Warwick’s experiments involving extrasensory communications could potentially result in a world in which humans experience each other’s thoughts or emotions.
The concept of human implantations has become a trend among the public. Wisconsin company, Three Square Market, made headlines after employees were offered the chance to get RFID chip implanted in their hands-using NFC technology to access computer, unlock doors, and make purchases. Meanwhile, companies such as Grindhouse Wetware wish to sell products promoting human augmentation through affordable, open source technology. Biohacker activist, Hannes Sjöblad, strives to democratize access to biotechnologies which may potentially benefit humans. As the founder of Swedish biohacking group Bionyfiken, Sjöblad strives to promote the use of biotechnology such as RFID implantations which could make daily life simpler.
Many people recognize human evolution to be the process of change which explains how the human lineage derived from apelike ancestors nearly seven million years ago. However, the biohacking movement proves that humans continue to evolve. Adaptation plays a major role in human evolution. As technology continues to improve, it is expected that humans would enhance themselves biologically. The biohacking movement was inevitable in today’s fast paced world.
[1]: Watson, James D., and Andrew Berry. DNA: The Secret of Life. New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 2003.
[2]: Who We Are. Open Insulin Project. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://openinsulin.org/who-we-are/.
[3]: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, November 3). Diabetes and Prediabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/diabetes-prediabetes.htm.
[4]: Warwick , K. (2020, November 14). Meet the biohackers letting technology get under their skin. The Conversation. Retrieved October 1, 2021, from https://theconversation.com/meet-the-biohackers-letting-technology-get-under-their-skin-60756.
