biohackers

Biohackers are individuals or groups who pursue biology outside traditional laboratories, often in community biology labs, makerspaces, or at home. The term encompasses a spectrum of activities, from informal education and open-science projects to more ambitious experiments with living systems. The emphasis is on accessibility, collaboration, and the use of open-source tools and materials.

Origins of the modern DIY biology movement trace to citizen-science and open-science communities in the early 2000s, expanding with the establishment of community biology labs worldwide. Notable organizations include DIYbio networks and various community spaces, such as Genspace and BioCurious, which provide training and shared facilities.

Common activities include introductory biology education, culture and testing of safe organisms, genetic engineering concepts, DNA barcoding, and the development of affordable hardware and software for experiments. Many biohackers pursue projects aimed at education, health, environmental monitoring, or rapid prototyping of ideas outside traditional research institutions.

Safety, ethics, and regulation are central considerations. Community labs generally follow biosafety guidelines and local laws, often under supervision for higher-risk activities. Debates address dual-use risks, privacy, consent, and the appropriate level of oversight for amateur biology. Advocates emphasize responsible openness, inclusivity, and the democratization of scientific literacy and innovation, while critics warn of potential safety gaps and security concerns.

In culture and science policy, biohacking is seen as part of broader movements toward citizen science and DIY biology, with ongoing discussions about how to balance openness with responsible stewardship.