Certainly, there will be people who question the idea of considering these two current geniuses and giants of science as ancient biohackers. However, when studying the techniques, methods, concepts, logic and methodologies for the realization of modern biohacking, it does not differ much from the initial action of these giants of science. Therefore, we can at least say that these are concrete models of the biohacking movement. DIY and craft is common in many segments, including biology, to which many researchers and hobbyists have made discoveries at random and through logical research methods.
The biohacking movement is the practice that fuses conceptual biology with the hacker movement. Although it is considered an amateur movement, the same, since in computing it is on the way to professionalization, and even commercial uses and standardization of methods, such as the creation of a Hello World for biosciences and the biohacking movement, as a method for beginners. . When you think of the biohacking movement as amateurish, you have to remember that the big hackers, for the most part, did not even have a college degree, and much of it came close to overthrowing the big corporations in all their professionalism. The world changes and we must rethink concepts about what professionalization really is. In World War II, the elite force called the SS was considered a grouping of amateurs by the Allies, including historians specializing in tactics and war operations. When we look at the reason, we realize that they were right to consider them amateurs, not having rigid training, heavy weapons logistics, strategic mass annihilation tactics like those possessed by an army. With this comparison we can realize that it is not the same to call the biohacking movement amateur, although in some cases it really is, compared to computer hackers, although they have been classified as amateurs, the damage and at the same time the technological progress that they brought . It is gigantic. We can, in this case, consider that the biohacking movement is in this environment.
“We are in a moment to understand the intrepid more.” Marie Curie.
The reality is that the biohacking movement is expanding its spectrum of action and possibilities. Since Mendel with the peas, the discovery of genes, genetic sequencing, to date much progress has been made, but still incompatible with the needs, so much complexity in the biosciences. And the biohacking movement emerges as a third way, far beyond a global brainstorming.
However, it is important to understand that at first it is important to think about alternative and low-cost tools for biohackers, while at the same time understanding that this is not the focus of the biohacking movement. Reflecting on this detail carefully. Conform was expounded by Edsger Dijkstra: “Computing is no more about computers than astronomy about telescopes.”
The movement of scientific progress, new tools and new means and methods to generate science and technology at lower costs is underway. Who could imagine someone doing genetic sequencing at their home desk, and even analytical software to study the results? This non-institutional movement, as a third way, just as it happened in the progress that hackers brought in computing! The biohacking movement is an integral part of the concept of transhumanism. It is not the purpose of this article to list the possibilities of biohacking. We talk about new techniques, tools and access to high-level information in open mode, for greater access. In short, more people and more brains are working and thinking in pursuit of the same groundbreaking goals and discoveries.
Popularization and new alternative methods for complex science is the strength of the biohacking movement. It will be through the dissemination of techniques, reduction of costs of equipment, materials and alternative supplies, with methods of easy and moderate application. As they include methods such as CRISPR, production of artificial bioreactors, popularization of PCR, use of tools, such as centrifuges to separate blood components or DNA material, use of PDMS and work with tissues, cells, stem cells, serum and chemicals. Plus, various other methods and techniques that will grow the biohacking movement.
Parallel to the biohacking movement, there are several advancements and new concepts parallel to the biohacking movement. We can consider that high-cost, high-definition electron and atomic microscopy already has the optical version, resulting in a Nobel Prize. It will not be surprising that this team will soon have its cost and popularization spread throughout the territory. What would Robert Koch be without the microscope?
A microscope or rather, a nanoscope capable of bringing the micro / nanoworld within the reach of anyone. By linking this power to computing, we will have widespread access across the land of something that until then was restricted only to large laboratories. The biohacking movement is not amateur! Make sure of this, things are getting complicated and old concepts will soon be revised.
In addition to nanotechnology, and various other terms, transhumanism refers to the forced evolution of the human body using science and technology, with biohacking techniques, nanotechnology for better handling, control of materials, and organization of matter. By forced evolution, understanding to make people see in the dark, feel the magnetism of the earth, sharpen their noses to incredible levels, etc. Some consider transhumanism as posthumanism, human bodies after biology, as an artificial being of high technological advancement. As you can see progress is exponential, it is where we are now. As an example, there is a growing movement to generate the first version of the global method for biohacking. It is not so current so, the techniques and methods of biohacking have already been successful. There are two giants of science who began their work as true biohackers, being: Gregor Johann Mendel and Robert Koch.
Gregor Johann Mendel: His works and curiosity in a garden led him inevitably to use biohacking techniques to understand botanical biological functioning. Many experts say that his work was instrumental in the progress of today’s genetics.
Robert Koch: Today he is known as the greatest bacteriologist that has ever existed in the world. The forerunner of Mr. Petri’s in vitro studies. He was a farmer and a doctor with the limitations of the time, however, his apex was made possible by his performances as a biohacker, conducting experiments on his property. On the verge of becoming the first anthrax spore specialist. However, his name today belongs to the greats of science for his persistence and professionalization in the field.
The purest science is based on observation, deduction and analysis. The Austrian monk Gregor Johann Mendel, always observed the plants during his free time in the monastery, in the Order of Saint Augustine, around 1844. His position was the supervision of the monastery gardens in the Czech Republic. As a professor of natural sciences, specializing in crossbreeding studies of plant and animal species, his great achievement came from his analytical observations with peas. He analyzed the results mathematically. At present, he is considered the father of genetics, for his precise observations on color changes, variations, the mechanism of flowers, then the mechanism of inheritance, which we know today as genes. His masterpiece treated; hybrid plant trials and artificial fertilization. It was practically the forerunner of the treatise on the laws of inheritance, now known as Mendel’s Laws, which govern the transmission of hereditary characteristics, hence genes.
What the greats of science have done in the past, in a short time today, it is possible to achieve in a much more profound way, at reduced costs, in the domain of matter. It is down this path that the biohacking movement and other advanced science and technology disciplines are walking.
