SCI CURIOUS EVENT REVIEWS... GO HACK YOURSELF

Event reviews by our Sci Curious members

Go Hack Yourself

Hack, snip, insert, remove – how far will we go in our quest to perfect our bodies? This panel discussion explored the current and future technologies for hacking our bodies, and discussed some of the ethical implications associated with hacking and changing parts of ourselves.

Review #1 by Brandon

This event opened my mind to the endless possibilities we have as humans for progressing and learning. It showed a glimpse of the future ahead of us, particularly in aiding movement advances. There is a long history of people using aiding devices from wooden legs to glasses to pace makers, and humans have always been fascinated with going beyond the known limits. The benefits of biohacking could be expediential, but such enhances can also come with a certain amount of controversy, as there are some people who simply do not believe in it, and others who consider it a sin towards their God. The reality is that biohacking offers countless opportunities to make life easier or better. For example, many ‘hackers’ are currently inserting microchips under their skin, a simple and convenient way to use your public transport card, or office swipe card. In this day and age people are all about convenience, and if it makes life that bit easier then apparently it’s worth the investment. Microchips can also be of great benefit to our health, incorporating devices such as Stentrodes inside blood vessels which then travel up to the brain where this tiny device can detect signals that will indicate that a person is going to have a seizure or stroke. The microchip can then send this potentially lifesaving information to a person’s phone, warning them of imminent danger. This is just one way in which biohacking can save lives, but just how reliable and safe these devices are is another controversy. Another important theme at this event was the discussion of CRISPR, gene-editing technology. Incredibly, if we can access our entire genome and put this data into a program, AI will analyse the genes and provide you with details on exactly which genes are faulty or damaged and need to be fixed. Then all you have to do is cut the gene out or modify it to bring you back to perfect health. CRISPR makes this possible. It may seem farfetched but such amazing new technology is well underway and could dramatically change the future of humanity.

Review by #2 Caleb

The most important themes of the event were definitely how current “bio hacking” is in progress and the state it is in and where it will be heading. The ideas played around with are how our bodies will then be the next Myki or credit card and how the future will harness these ideas.

I felt the evening was highly relevant to me as it was a hypothetical future that I will one day be apart off. Technology and especially biology is advancing rapidly and who knows where we will be in the next 10-20 even 50 years time. Currently we have a life expectancy but with the current advances of the present a life expectancy may no longer exist. This is an exciting but also scary idea to think about and especially the fact that I will be part of this future.

Review #3 by Celeste

Biohacking, the quest to perfect our imperfect bodies through various means, such as removing features we don’t view attractive; consuming medication to get rid of the common cold; and the current trend of body modification, implants. The most important things to consider in biohacking and developing the tools is how we use them in the wider world and what ideal of perfection we are after in the human body. Are we seeking functional or aesthetic perfection? What’s more important and which area should we progress further from the technological perspective?

NFC chip implants in the human body creates potential possibilities in the wider world for functionality. The NFC chip can be used as a credit card or even hold your medical bio data which allows for ease of access by hospital personnel. Doctors can quickly view your bio data in an emergency as every second counts in saving a life. What was most particularly interesting to me were the use of NFC chips during scavenger hunts as a tool for players. These open up new doors for game developers to incorporate the physical body more into play. We can explore ways to bring players back from the virtual world and into the real world for a unique state of play.