Precursors Biohackers – Mr Gregor Mendel and Mr Robert Koch

Certainly, there will be people who dispute the idea of considering these two geniuses and current giants of science as ancient biohackers. However, when studying the techniques, methods, concepts, logic and methodologies for the performance 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 to the biohacking movement. The DIY and handmade technique is common in many segments, including for biology, to which many researchers and amateurs have made random discoveries and through logical methods of research.

The biohacking movement is the practice that fuses conceptual biology with the hacker movement. Although it is considered an amateur movement, the same, as in computing is on the way to professionalization, and even commercial uses and standardization of methods, such as a creation of a Hello World for biosciences and the biohacking movement, as a method for beginners. When one thinks that the biohacking movement is amateur, we must remember that the great computer hackers, for the most part, did not even have a university degree, and much of it came close to overthrowing large corporations with all their professionalism. The world changes and concepts must be rethought about what in fact is professionalization. In World War II, the elite force called the SS was considered an amateur grouping by allies, including historians specializing in tactics and war operations. When we observe the reason, we realize that they were right to consider them amateurs, not having rigid training, heavy weapons logistics, strategic tactics of mass annihilation as an army possesses. With this comparison we can realize that it is not equal to call the amateur biohacking movement, 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 technological progress they brought is gigantic We may, in this case, consider that the biohacking movement is in this environment.

“We are at a time to understand more to fearless.” Marie Curie.

The reality is that the biohacking movement is having its spectrum of action and possibilities expanded. From Mendel with the peas, the discovery of the genes, the genetic sequencing, to date there has been much progress, but still incompatible with the needs, such complexity in biosciences. And the biohacking movement emerges as a third way, far beyond a world-wide brainstorm.

However, it is important to understand that at the beginning it is important to think of the alternative and low-cost tools for biohackers, and at the same time understand that this is not the focus of the biohacking movement. Pondering this detail carefully. Conform was exposed 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 of generating science and technology at lower costs is in progress. Who could even imagine someone doing genetic sequencing on the desk in their home, and even analytical software to study the results? This non-institutional movement, as a third way, equally as occurred in the progress brought by hackers 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 and innovative goals and discoveries.

The popularization and new alternative methods for complex science is the strength of the biohacking movement. It will be through the dissemination of techniques, cost reduction of alternative equipment, materials and inputs, with methods of easy and moderate application. As include methods such as CRISPR, production of artificial bioreactors, a popularization of PCR, use of tools, such as centrifuges to separate components from blood or DNA material use of PDMS and works with tissues, cells, stem cells, serum and chemicals. Also, other diverse methods and techniques that the biohacking movement will grow.

Parallel to the biohacking movement, there are several advances and new concepts parallel to the biohacking movement. We can consider that high-definition, high-cost electronic and atomic 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 popularization spread throughout the land. What would Robert Koch be without the microscope?

A microscope or rather, a nanoscope capable of taking the micro/nanoworld to anyone’s access. By linking this power to computing, we will have widespread access through the earth of something that until then was restricted only to large laboratories. The biohacking movement is not amateurish! Be sure of this, things are getting messy and old concepts will soon be reviewed.

In addition to nanotechnology, and various other terms, the transhumanism refers to the forced evolution of the human body using science and technology, with biohacking techniques, nanotechnology for better handling, material control and organization of matter. By forced evolution, understand to make people see in the dark, feel the magnetism of the earth, sharpen their noses to incredible levels, etc. Some consider transhumanism as post-humanism, 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 global method version for biohacking. It is not so current so, the biohacking techniques and methods have already been successful There are two giants of science who started their work as real biohackers, being: Gregor Johann Mendel and Robert Koch.

Gregor Johann Mendel: His works and curiosity in a garden led him to inevitably use biohacking techniques in understanding botanical biological functioning. Many experts say that their work was critical to the progress of today’s genetics.

Robert Koch – Today is known as the largest bacteriologist ever to go around the world. The precursor of the in vitro studies by Mr Petri. He was a farmer and doctor with the limitations of the time, however, his apex was possible by his performances like a biohacker, realizing experiments in his property. About to become the first specialist in Anthrax spores. However, its name today belongs to the greats of science due to its 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 St. Augustine, around 1844. It was his position the supervision of the gardens of the monastery in the Czech Republic. As a professor of natural sciences, specializing in studies of crosses of plant and animal species, his great achievement came from his analytical observations with the peas. Analysed the results mathematically. At present, he is considered the father of genetics, by his precise observations in changes of colour, variations, mechanism of the flowers, soon the mechanism of the heredity, that today we know like the genes. His masterpiece dealt with; hybrid plant trials and artificial fertilization. It 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, hence genes.

What the greats of science have done in the past, in the brief actuality, is possible to accomplish in a much deeper way, at reduced costs, in the domain of the subject. It is on this path that the biohacking movement and other disciplines of advanced science and technology are walking.