Could this be the most important book of our generation? Jamie Metzl, PhD, JD, and polymath extraordinaire, writes “From this point onward, our species will take active control of our evolutionary process by genetically altering our future offspring into something different from what we are today. We are, in other words, beginning a process of hacking Darwin.” This is a quote from his latest book, Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity.

1. Science, Technology and Ethics: Hacking Darwin with Jamie Metzl,
PhD
 Published on June 1, 2019
Dr. Chris Stout
119 articles
Jamie Metzl, PhD, JD, and polymath extraordinaire, writes “From this point onward, our species will
take active control of our evolutionary process by genetically altering our future offspring into something
different from what we are today. We are, in other words, beginning a process of hacking Darwin.” This is a
quote from his latest book, Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity.
“We’ve never conducted a species-wide conversation on our future.”
This new work has caught the attention of the experts—CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, Ray Kurzweil,
Harvard genetics superstar George Church, and even former acting CIA director Mike Morell, and

2. related pieces in the New York Times, FT, The Economist,
and TechCrunch. And understandably so, as the genetics
revolution that will transform our healthcare, the way
we make babies, the nature of the babies we make, and
ultimately our evolution as a species has already begun.
It will arrive far sooner than most of us think and will
transform our lives and the world around us in ways we
can hardly imagine.
If you have a sense that the genetics revolution is
important but recognize you need to know more about
what’s happening, what’s at stake, what this means for
you, and what you should be doing now to prepare,
then you will enjoy the book and this episode with
Jamie.
We cover the science, technology and ethics of where
we are and what’s on the horizon.
Jamie is a dear friend, and the first time he was on my
show, I referred to him as a real-life Buckaroo Banzai. If
you haven’t listened to that episode, I encourage you to check it out as we cover some of the
amazing and diverse things he’s done.
Could this be the most important book of our generation?
We cover a wide territory that includes IVF, CRISPR, Cas9, epigenetic aspects that dictate how
genes are expressed, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and use of a computer algorithm
to look for thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or genetic variations. Jamie notes
that “because genomics is the ultimate big-data challenge, more and cheaper data will lay a foundation for
more and greater discoveries.” When large data bases are combined with one’s personal genetic
information, it sets the stage for actionable, N-of-1 clinical interventions a la Precision Medicine
Initiative. We also cover the history, and the politics, of GMO crops, as well as longevity extension
via NAD+, metformin, including Friedrich Nietzsche and his idea of the Ubermensch, or superman,
and segue into a the Transhumanist Movement. We are in the midst of a boom of DIY biohackers,
not unlike technology hobbyists of bygone days.
In dealing with “The Ethics of Engineering Ourselves” quite fittingly, Jamie has been appointed earlier
this year in the World Health Organization’s expert advisory committee on developing global
standards for the governance and oversight of human genome editing, and he encourages us all
join the conversation via his website for doing exactly that.
“The science is in place. The realization is inevitable.”

3. Jamie not only lives his life in full, but he informs of the promise and risks we are facing, and
offers us a way to have an informed voice in helping to move the dialog to benefit humanity’s
future.
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4. “Living a Life in Full” is the conversation you always wanted to have with that person who gave an
amazing TED talk, or the author of one your favorite books, or that inspirational Olympian you
always wanted to know more about.
This show is for the intellectually curious. You want to not just know more about the interesting
and the innovative, but also what makes them tick, and maybe even what makes them laugh. It’s
graduate-level conversations with those making a difference in the world and the lives of others.
This show brings you new ideas and approaches so you can live a life in full.
The show is equal parts information and inspiration, but without the aphorisms and Pablum. We
cover a wide range of topics in an engaging way—from Burning Man to The Renaissance Weekend,
from the United Nations to top universities, Nobel Laureates to astronauts—we have an amazing
Rolodex.
Interviewees are a who’s who of high performance athletes, bestselling authors, high-caliber
leaders, world changing humanitarians, innovative researchers, amazing start-up founders, clever
life-hackers, paradigm busting thought-leaders and global innovators.

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