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OnlinePoker

(5,727 posts) Fri May 17, 2019, 10:10 AM May 2019

Genetic self-experimenting "biohacker" under investigation by health officials

Prominent genetic "biohacker" Josiah Zayner is under investigation by California state officials for practicing medicine without a license.

Zayner has a background in biophysics and runs a company called The Odin, which sells do-it-yourself genetic engineering kits and other lab equipment intended for use outside of scientific laboratories. The kits and tools are intended to allow lay users to genetically modify bacteria, yeast, animals, and even humans.

The human that Zayner's products are best known for trying to modify is Zayner himself. In fact, the brazen CEO has a long history of self-experimentation. In 2016, he attempted a stomach-churning DIY fecal transplant in an airport hotel, then moved on to trying to genetically engineer his skin.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/05/biohacker-who-tried-to-alter-his-dna-probed-for-illegally-practicing-medicine/

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He's doing it on himself. They should butt out.

6 replies

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Genetic self-experimenting "biohacker" under investigation by health officials (Original Post) OnlinePoker May 2019 OP

He's doing it on himself. They should butt out. 2naSalit May 2019 #1

If it's not regulated material, he's allowed to sell it. OnlinePoker May 2019 #2

Are you him? Cause your defense of him is weak (at best) but it seems very personal for you. FreepFryer May 2019 #3

His body, his choice. n/t OnlinePoker May 2019 #4

Unless he creates a health hazard for others by using untested or unsound methods. FreepFryer May 2019 #5

Experimenting with human biological material involves a shit-ton of certificates and regulations. DetlefK May 2019 #6

2naSalit

(86,824 posts)

1. He's doing it on himself. They should butt out.

Reply to OnlinePoker (Original post)

Fri May 17, 2019, 10:26 AM

May 2019

Except for the part where he's selling kits to fools who could and would use it for stupid shit.

OnlinePoker

(5,727 posts)

2. If it's not regulated material, he's allowed to sell it.

Reply to 2naSalit (Reply #1)

Fri May 17, 2019, 10:39 AM

May 2019

If these other people want to experiment, that should be their right as well. We allow people to make all sorts of modifications to their bodies now so why should this be any different?

FreepFryer

(7,077 posts)

3. Are you him? Cause your defense of him is weak (at best) but it seems very personal for you.

Reply to OnlinePoker (Reply #2)

Fri May 17, 2019, 10:54 AM

May 2019

Why is genetic modification different than other forms of body modification?

Because it’s genetic.

OnlinePoker

(5,727 posts)

4. His body, his choice. n/t

Reply to FreepFryer (Reply #3)

Fri May 17, 2019, 11:23 AM

May 2019

FreepFryer

(7,077 posts)

5. Unless he creates a health hazard for others by using untested or unsound methods.

Reply to OnlinePoker (Reply #4)

Fri May 17, 2019, 11:26 AM

May 2019

Like a shit transplant in a hotel, for example.

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)

6. Experimenting with human biological material involves a shit-ton of certificates and regulations.

Reply to OnlinePoker (Original post)

Fri May 17, 2019, 11:29 AM

May 2019

I once had a biophysicist colleague who was running experiments with saliva and animal-blood. (IIRC she was working on some kind of chemical sensor.)

Then she had the idea to expand to experimenting with human blood and was shocked by how massively regulated this is. The lab must be recertified, the instruments must be recertified, she must write new reports... In the end it wasn't worth the trouble.

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