Ep. 41 - DIY Gene Engineering with Josiah Zayner

In this installment of the Future Grind podcast host Ryan O’Shea speaks with Dr. Josiah Zayner, the former NASA scientist who in 2017 became the first known human to attempt to modify themselves using CRISPR gene editing technology. Josiah's controversial company, The ODIN, provides educational courses and sells DIY gene editing kits for everything from bacteria to frogs, and soon plans to offer kits for the DIY modification of human cells.

They discuss his experiments in human augmentation, bodily autonomy, the healthcare industry, and so much more.

In addition to his work with The ODIN, Josiah hosts the Biohack The Planet conference. Past speakers include Dr. Aubrey de Grey of the SENS Research Foundation, Hamilton Morris of the VICE series Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia, magician and biohacker Anastasia Synn, and many more.

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"The point for me wasn't to get bigger muscles. That was never my goal goal. My goal was to have a commentary on the state of genetic engineering, biotech and pharmaceutical companies and all this other bullshit. And it just got blown out of proportion by all the media...

Show Notes

• Credentials & media portrayal [2:23]

• Josiah’s education & path to NASA [6:06]

• Why Josiah left NASA [9:27]

• The ODIN [11:02]

• Explaining the name “The ODIN” [12:40]

• ODIN customer projects [13:43]

• Josiah’s microbiome transplant & CRISPR experiment [14:36]

• Reasons & results (or lack thereof) [17:00]

• Allegations of practicing medicine [25:05]

• Barriers to exercising bodily autonomy [32:48]

• Biohack the Planet [40:56]

• Talk to look forward to [44:34]

• What’s next for The ODIN [48:58]
  
  Mentioned
  Rich Lee
  Gut Hack video
  The Atlantic article
  Other genetic modifications
  - Tristan Roberts’ experimental HIV treatment
  - Aaron Traywick’s experimental herpes treatment
  - Justin Atkin’s experimental lactose Intolerance treatment
  California investigation & Josiah’s interview video
  Women on Waves
  Former Biohack the Planet speakers -
  - Amal Graafstra
  - Zoltan Istvan
  - Alex Pearlman
  Some 2019 speakers
  - Jessica Polka of ASAPbio
  - David Hewlett, Stargate
  - Zach Weissmueller, Reason
  - Dr. Rob Carlson, Bioeconomy Capital
  - Michael Solana, Founders Fund (Peter Thiel)
  - Misti Norris, Petra & the Beast
  
  

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