Provided with a detailed description on BioHacking, it's types, applications, examples, and it's aftermath are described. Potential issues and consequences of BioHacking are also discussed. Gives an idea on how you can become a Biohacker.

1. BioHackingBioHacking
–– Do It Yourself BiologyDo It Yourself Biology
RAHUL M. PRATHAPRAHUL M. PRATHAP
S1S1 M.Sc BioinformaticsM.Sc Bioinformatics
National College, ManacaudNational College, Manacaud

2. ● BioHacking implies a Positive Purpose.
● Biohacking belongs to a ‘hacker ethic’ that
is based on positive principles, such as
universal access to information and general
quality of life improvement.

3. What is BioHacking ?What is BioHacking ?

Biohacking refers to the application ofBiohacking refers to the application of
IT hacks to biological systems, byIT hacks to biological systems, by
altering or enhancing the naturalaltering or enhancing the natural
condition of most prominently, thecondition of most prominently, the
human body – but also the entirehuman body – but also the entire
biosphere.biosphere.

‘‘Biohacking’Biohacking’ can also refer tocan also refer to
managing one's own biology using amanaging one's own biology using a
combination of medical, nutritionalcombination of medical, nutritional
and electronic techniques.

4. Who are Biohackers ?Who are Biohackers ?

They include both unprofessional and professionalThey include both unprofessional and professional
scientists who believes in hacking themselves withscientists who believes in hacking themselves with
technology & hardware (Grinders)technology & hardware (Grinders)

or who believes in making tools and resourcesor who believes in making tools and resources
available to anyone by using blogs and forums (DIYavailable to anyone by using blogs and forums (DIY
Biohackers)Biohackers)
Biohackers at VHS- VancouverBiohackers at VHS- Vancouver
Hack Space (Canada) working onHack Space (Canada) working on
EEG (Electroencephalography) andEEG (Electroencephalography) and
BCI (Brain-computer Interfaces).BCI (Brain-computer Interfaces).

5. 
Biohackers believe in experience-basedBiohackers believe in experience-based
learning. Or in plainer terms… they like to touchlearning. Or in plainer terms… they like to touch
stuff.stuff.

““If you don’t try it, how do you know it works?”If you don’t try it, how do you know it works?”

They make Biology access to everyone andThey make Biology access to everyone and
thus stimulate innovation !!thus stimulate innovation !!

6. Types of Biohacking

7. 1.1.
Body or Mind HackingBody or Mind Hacking

8. What you put into your body has anWhat you put into your body has an
ENORMOUS impact on how you feel.ENORMOUS impact on how you feel.

9. Quantified SelfQuantified Self
● also known as Lifelogging
● It is started by Gary Wolf and Kevin Kelly of Wired
magazine
● It tries to incorporate technology into data acquisition on
aspects of a person's daily life such as data in terms of
1. Food consumed
2. Quality of surrounding air
3. Mood
4. Skin conductance as a proxy for arousal
5. Pulse oximetry for blood oxygen level
6. Performance - mental or physical activity
7. Caloric intake
8. Sleep quality
9. Posture and other factors involved in personal well-being
Quantified self is also being used to improve personal or professional productivity,Quantified self is also being used to improve personal or professional productivity,
with tools and services being used to help people keep track of what they do duringwith tools and services being used to help people keep track of what they do during
the workday, where they spend their time, and who they interact with.the workday, where they spend their time, and who they interact with.

10. Gary Wolf
““Self-knowledge through self-tracking with technology”Self-knowledge through self-tracking with technology”
People choose to wear self-monitoring andPeople choose to wear self-monitoring and
self-sensing sensors (e.g. EEG, ECG) and wearableself-sensing sensors (e.g. EEG, ECG) and wearable
computing to collect data.computing to collect data.

11. Personal trainer 2.0Personal trainer 2.0

Ben Greenfield is a fitness coach who uses biohacking methods toBen Greenfield is a fitness coach who uses biohacking methods to
take his and his clients’ health to the next level.take his and his clients’ health to the next level.

To boost performances he uses neurostimulation, which deliversTo boost performances he uses neurostimulation, which delivers
low current to specific areas of the brain and can also be effectivelow current to specific areas of the brain and can also be effective
against depression.against depression.

He coached topHe coached top
tier triathlontier triathlon
athletes toathletes to
enhance theirenhance their
bodies through abodies through a
unique nutritionunique nutrition
plan and coldplan and cold
thermogenesis,thermogenesis,
so they couldso they could
achieve incredibleachieve incredible
performances inperformances in
short time.short time.

12. 2.2.
3D Bio-Printing3D Bio-Printing

13. Three-Dimensional Bio-printingThree-Dimensional Bio-printing

It is the utilization of 3D printing and 3DIt is the utilization of 3D printing and 3D
printing–like techniques to combine cells,printing–like techniques to combine cells,
growth factors, and biomaterials to fabricategrowth factors, and biomaterials to fabricate
biomedical parts that maximally imitate naturalbiomedical parts that maximally imitate natural
tissue characteristics.tissue characteristics.

It utilizes the layer-by-layer method to depositIt utilizes the layer-by-layer method to deposit
materials known asmaterials known as BioinksBioinks to create tissue-to create tissue-
like structures that are later used in medicallike structures that are later used in medical
and tissue engineering fields.and tissue engineering fields.

Currently, bioprinting can be used to printCurrently, bioprinting can be used to print
tissues and organs to help research drugs andtissues and organs to help research drugs and
pills.pills.

14. 3D Bio-printing follows 3 steps..3D Bio-printing follows 3 steps..
1. Pre-bioprinting - Process1. Pre-bioprinting - Process
of creating a 2D images ofof creating a 2D images of
the model and are sent tothe model and are sent to
the printer.the printer.
2. Bioprinting - The liquid2. Bioprinting - The liquid
mixture of cells, matrix, andmixture of cells, matrix, and
nutrients known as Bioinksnutrients known as Bioinks
are placed in a printerare placed in a printer
cartridge and depositedcartridge and deposited
using the patients' medicalusing the patients' medical
scans. These cells whichscans. These cells which
are grown in the incubatorare grown in the incubator
will mature into tissues.will mature into tissues.
3. Post-bioprinting – It is necessary to create a stable structure from3. Post-bioprinting – It is necessary to create a stable structure from
the biological material by providing both mechanical and chemicalthe biological material by providing both mechanical and chemical
stimulations such as nutrient transport, microgravity environments, orstimulations such as nutrient transport, microgravity environments, or
changing the pressurechanging the pressure

15. 3.3.
DNA / RNA HackingDNA / RNA Hacking

16. Gene editing / Genome editingGene editing / Genome editing

It is a group of technologies that give scientistsIt is a group of technologies that give scientists
the ability to change an organism's DNA.the ability to change an organism's DNA.

This allows genetic material to be added,This allows genetic material to be added,
removed, or altered at particular locations in theremoved, or altered at particular locations in the
genome.genome.

A recent approach is known asA recent approach is known as CRISPR-Cas9CRISPR-Cas9,,
which is short forwhich is short for CLUSTERED REGULARLYCLUSTERED REGULARLY
INTERSPACED SHORT PALINDROMICINTERSPACED SHORT PALINDROMIC
REPEATSREPEATS and CRISPR-associated protein 9.and CRISPR-associated protein 9.

This technique is faster, cheaper, moreThis technique is faster, cheaper, more
accurate, and more efficient than other existingaccurate, and more efficient than other existing

18. 4.4.
DIY GrindingDIY Grinding

19. GrindersGrinders

Grinders are people who apply the hacker ethicGrinders are people who apply the hacker ethic
to improve their own bodies with do-it-yourselfto improve their own bodies with do-it-yourself
cybernetic devices.cybernetic devices.

Grinders practice functional extreme bodyGrinders practice functional extreme body
modification in an effort to improve the humanmodification in an effort to improve the human
condition.condition.

Grinders hack themselves with electronicGrinders hack themselves with electronic
hardware to extend and improve humanhardware to extend and improve human
capacities. Grinders believe in action, theircapacities. Grinders believe in action, their
bodies the experiment.bodies the experiment.

20. Sixth SenseSixth Sense

A group of biohackers haveA group of biohackers have
implanted small magnets inimplanted small magnets in
their fingers’ nerves so thattheir fingers’ nerves so that
they could feel thingsthey could feel things
completely invisible to most.completely invisible to most.

The brain processes theThe brain processes the
new information as a sixthnew information as a sixth
sense and allows them tosense and allows them to
feel electric and magneticfeel electric and magnetic
fields.fields.

They are able to feel the liveThey are able to feel the live
wires versus the dead wires andwires versus the dead wires and
they can also feel the securitythey can also feel the security
gates and they pass through ingates and they pass through in
stores or at the airport.stores or at the airport.

21. Some cool Biohack projects you should knowSome cool Biohack projects you should know
about....about....

22. NightvisionNightvision

A group of biohackers have developed eye drops with a substanceA group of biohackers have developed eye drops with a substance
found in deep-sea called Ce6found in deep-sea called Ce6

This substance is used in cancer treatment and to treat night blindnessThis substance is used in cancer treatment and to treat night blindness
in people with degenerative eye diseases.in people with degenerative eye diseases.

Gabriel Licina injected it in his eyes to acheive night vision and he canGabriel Licina injected it in his eyes to acheive night vision and he can
now see objects 160ft (50 m) away in dark field.now see objects 160ft (50 m) away in dark field.

23. Bullet proofBullet proof

Dave Asprey has sentDave Asprey has sent
over $300,000 over theover $300,000 over the
past 15 years hacking hispast 15 years hacking his
own biology to lose 100own biology to lose 100
pounds and improve hispounds and improve his
IQ score.IQ score.

He is most famous for his ‘Bullet proof’He is most famous for his ‘Bullet proof’
coffee a toxin-free coffee which, mixedcoffee a toxin-free coffee which, mixed
with butter and MCT oil, can boostwith butter and MCT oil, can boost
your performance.your performance.

He also runs an annual biohackingHe also runs an annual biohacking
conference at an entrance fee $1,599conference at an entrance fee $1,599
to present his newest experiments,to present his newest experiments,
including methods to lower biologicalincluding methods to lower biological
age.age.

24. Circadia 1.0Circadia 1.0

Transhumanist TimTranshumanist Tim
Cannon is the firstCannon is the first
known human toknown human to
implant a chipimplant a chip
transmittingtransmitting
biometrical data tobiometrical data to
an android device.an android device.

The large chip was implantedThe large chip was implanted
without anesthesia and is chargedwithout anesthesia and is charged
wirelessly. Texts from your phonewirelessly. Texts from your phone
can be displayed via LED throughcan be displayed via LED through
your skin.your skin.

Text messages are sent if the bodyText messages are sent if the body
reaches 100* F ( 38*C) and medicalreaches 100* F ( 38*C) and medical
data is stored in the device allowingdata is stored in the device allowing
Cannon to track his health with hisCannon to track his health with his
phone.phone.

25. Age killingAge killing

Dr. Aubrey De Grey believes theDr. Aubrey De Grey believes the
first person who will live to befirst person who will live to be
1,000 is already alive today, as1,000 is already alive today, as
we are on the cusp of a biologicalwe are on the cusp of a biological
revolution.revolution.

His model of gerentology is builtHis model of gerentology is built
on the principle that everyon the principle that every
metabolic reaction can bemetabolic reaction can be
described within just sevendescribed within just seven
categories.categories.

These ‘seven deadly things’These ‘seven deadly things’
constitute all pathological effectsconstitute all pathological effects
of aging and scientists are nowof aging and scientists are now
able to control and repair each ofable to control and repair each of
these different types of damage.these different types of damage.

The therapy can take peopleThe therapy can take people
aged 60 and rejuvinate themaged 60 and rejuvinate them
thorougly enough so they won’tthorougly enough so they won’t
be biologically 60 again until theybe biologically 60 again until they
are chronologically 90.are chronologically 90.

26. Upload your ConsciousnessUpload your Consciousness

In 2013, physicist StephanIn 2013, physicist Stephan
Hawking explained the brain isHawking explained the brain is
like a program in the mind,like a program in the mind,
which is like a computer. So it’swhich is like a computer. So it’s
theoretically possible to copytheoretically possible to copy
the brain onto a computer andthe brain onto a computer and
so provide a form of life afterso provide a form of life after
death.death.

Many biohackers claim thatMany biohackers claim that
with quantum computers it’swith quantum computers it’s
possible to have a map of allpossible to have a map of all
neurons and their connectionsneurons and their connections
and then artificially activateand then artificially activate
groups of neurons to basicallygroups of neurons to basically
have the copy of a person’shave the copy of a person’s
brain thus maybe transfer it tobrain thus maybe transfer it to
another body.another body.

27. Human EnergyHuman Energy

Industrial designer Naomi Kizhner has developed aIndustrial designer Naomi Kizhner has developed a
concept for a jewellery collection that converts kineticconcept for a jewellery collection that converts kinetic
energy from the body into electricity.energy from the body into electricity.

In response to the world’s energy crysis, she explored theIn response to the world’s energy crysis, she explored the
post-humanistic approach that sees the human body aspost-humanistic approach that sees the human body as
resource.resource.

This piece can harvest energy from blood flow and fromThis piece can harvest energy from blood flow and from
the electric pulses sent by the neurological system throughthe electric pulses sent by the neurological system through
the wearer’s spine.the wearer’s spine.

Other physiologicalOther physiological
functions can also be usedfunctions can also be used
to produce energy, whichto produce energy, which
would be infinite as long aswould be infinite as long as
we live meaning thatwe live meaning that
reaching a form ofreaching a form of
immortality would alsoimmortality would also
provide infinite renewableprovide infinite renewable
energy for our needs if theenergy for our needs if the
concept is developed.concept is developed.

28. Aftermath of BiohackingAftermath of Biohacking
Biohacking
Body/MindBody/Mind
HackingHacking
3D Bio-printing3D Bio-printing DNA/RNADNA/RNA
HackingHacking
DIY GrindingDIY Grinding
QS /QS /
Quantified-Quantified-
SelfSelf
Life enhancement & LifeLife enhancement & Life
extensionextension
TheThe
SingularitySingularity
TranshumanismTranshumanism

29. Potential issues & concernsPotential issues & concerns

Fear of terrorism with Biowarfare.Fear of terrorism with Biowarfare.

DIY Biohackers may decrease the demand forDIY Biohackers may decrease the demand for
professional scientistsprofessional scientists

Add to consumerism and capitalismAdd to consumerism and capitalism

As more scientific materials and resourcesAs more scientific materials and resources
become available as open-source, individualsbecome available as open-source, individuals
willl be able to create toxins, agents andwilll be able to create toxins, agents and
bioweopons.bioweopons.

30. How you can become aHow you can become a ‘Biohacker’‘Biohacker’ ??