FoundMyFitness #077 Rewriting genomes to eradicate disease and aging | Dr. George Church
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Aug 24, 2022 
Dr. George Church is a trailblazer in genetics, known for his contributions to the Human Genome Project and gene editing. In this conversation, he shares revolutionary ideas on rewriting genomes to combat diseases and aging. He discusses the potential of CRISPR technology and highlights innovations like the Vertebrate Genomes Project and AI tools like AlphaFold. Church also addresses ethical concerns in germline editing and explores fascinating concepts such as de-extinction and engineered organs for transplantation, reshaping our health and future.
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Biology's Manufacturing Potential
- Biology offers atomic precision and scalability, unlike current manufacturing processes.
- It utilizes diverse chemical bonds and can replicate, potentially enabling hybrid devices with electronics.
Writing Genomes for Understanding
- Writing genomes helps us understand their function, similar to reverse-engineering software.
- Changing or removing parts reveals their role, like identifying glucose-handling mechanisms.
Benefits of Genome Rewriting
- Rewriting genomes becomes advantageous when multiple gene changes are needed, like for virus resistance.
- By changing the genetic code, cells can become resistant to all viruses without harming the host.
