Von Harari zur Molekularbiologie: Wie wir den Menschen immer mehr entschlüsseln

·42 min·4 clips

How close are we to genetically engineering humans to dramatically extend life—or even cheat death?

The episode begins with host Alexander Armbruster introducing the topic of genetic engineering and its potential to dramatically extend human life or even overcome death. He is joined by Joachim Müller-Jung, the science editor. They first discuss Ray Kurzweil's transhumanist ideas, including downloading human consciousness into machines via nanobots. Müller-Jung argues that life is fundamentally an information flow, citing molecular biology and mRNA vaccines as examples. The hosts then introduce Yuval Noah Harari's new book 'Nexus', which frames humans as information-processing entities within historical networks. They contrast these optimistic views with Venki Ramakrishnan's book 'Why We Die', which warns against pursuing extreme longevity due to societal consequences. The conversation shifts to practical applications, explaining how mRNA technology works beyond COVID-19 vaccines to target cancer cells and autoimmune diseases through precise immune therapy. They differentiate mRNA from gene therapy, noting mRNA's transient effects versus permanent genetic changes. Epigenetics is explored as the regulatory system controlling gene expression, with examples like exercise influencing gene networks. The hosts discuss how AI could analyze epigenetic patterns to optimize health, leading to debates about enhancement for traits like intelligence or lifespan. They mention metformin as a potential anti-aging drug and the rise of unregulated markets offering dubious longevity solutions. The episode concludes with concerns about overregulation stifling research, emphasizing the need for balanced societal dialogue on these transformative technologies.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from F.A.Z. Digitalwirtschaft