Biohacker Forerunners – Mr. Gregor Mendel and Mr. Robert Koch
Surely, there will be people who dispute the idea of considering these two geniuses and current giants of science as former biohackers. However, when studying the techniques, methods, concepts, logics 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. The DIY and craft technique is common in many segments, even for biology, to which many researchers and hobbyists have made random discoveries and through logical research methods.
The biohacking movement is the practice that merges conceptual biology with the hacker movement. Although it is considered an amateur movement, the same is true, as in computing it is on its 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 one thinks that the biohacking movement is amateurish, one has to remember that the big computer hackers, for the most part, did not even have a university degree, and many of them came close to bringing down the big corporations with all their professionalism. The world changes and you have to think about concepts about what professionalization really is. In World War II, the allies, including historians specializing in warfare tactics and operations, regarded the elite force called the SS as an amateur grouping. 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 an army possesses. 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 they brought . It is gigantic. We can, in this case, consider that the biohacking movement is in this environment.
“We are in a moment of understanding 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 there have been many advances, 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 brainstorm.
However, it’s important to understand that it’s important to think about low-cost and alternative tools for biohackers at the beginning, and at the same time to understand that this is not the focus of the biohacking movement. Considering this detail carefully. Conform was expounded by Edsger Dijkstra: “Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is 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 even imagine someone doing genetic sequencing at their home desk, and even analytical software to study the results? This non-institutional movement, like a third way, just like what happened in the advance that hackers brought about 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 more access. In short, more people and more brains are working and thinking in pursuit of the same innovative goals and discoveries.
Popularization and new alternative methods for complex science is the strength of the biohacking movement. It will be through the diffusion of techniques, reduction of equipment costs, materials and alternative inputs, with methods of easy and moderate application. How to include methods such as CRISPR, production of artificial bioreactors, a 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 the biohacking movement will grow.
Parallel to the biohacking movement, there are several advancements and new concepts parallel to the biohacking movement. We can consider that high-definition and high-cost atomic and electron microscopy already has the optical version, which resulted in a Nobel prize. It will not be surprising that this equipment will soon have its cost and popularity 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 everyone’s reach. By linking this power to computing, we will have widespread access across the earth to something that until then was restricted only to large labs. 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 management, material control, and organization of matter. By forced evolution, he means making people see in the dark, feel the magnetism of the earth, prick their noses to unbelievable levels, etc. Some consider transhumanism as post-humanism, human bodies after biology, as a high-tech artificial being. As you can see, progress is exponential, that’s where we are now. As an example, there is a growing movement to generate the first global version of the method for biohacking. It is not so current, so biohacking techniques and methods 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 his curiosity in a garden inevitably led him to use biohacking techniques to understand botanical biological functioning. Many experts say that his work was essential for the progress of current genetics.
Robert Koch – today he is known as the greatest bacteriologist who has ever gone around 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 peak was made possible by his actions as a biohacker, conducting experiments on his property. He about to become the first anthrax spore specialist. However, his name today belongs to the greats of science due to 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 spare time in the monastery, in the Order of Saint Augustine, around 1844. It was his charge to supervise the monastery gardens in the Czech Republic. As a professor of natural sciences, specializing in studies of crossbreeding 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, flower mechanism, then the mechanism of heredity, which we know today as genes. The masterpiece of he tried; Trials of hybrid plants and artificial fertilization. He was practically the forerunner of the treatise on the laws of heredity, now known as Mendel’s Laws, which govern the transmission of hereditary characteristics, therefore genes.
What the greats of science have done in the past, in the brief present, it is possible to do it in a much deeper way, at reduced costs, in the domain of matter. It is on this path that the biohacking movement and other disciplines of advanced science and technology walk.