Name: How synthetic biology could wipe out humanity -- and how we can stop it
Uploaded: 2019-06-18T14:44:02Z
Duration: 16 min 27 s
Description: The world-changing promise of synthetic biology and gene editing has a dark side. In this far-seeing talk, author and entrepreneur Rob Reid reviews the risks of a world where more and more people have access to the tools and tech needed to create a doomsday bug that could wipe out humanity -- and suggests that it's time to take this danger seriously.

The world-changing promise of synthetic biology and gene editing has a dark side. In this far-seeing talk, author and entrepreneur Rob Reid reviews the risks of a world where more and more people have access to the tools and tech needed to create a doomsday bug that could wipe out humanity -- and suggests that it's time to take this danger seriously.

Rob Reid: How synthetic biology could wipe out humanity -- and how we can stop it

How synthetic biology could wipe out humanity -- and how we can stop it

Innovations like CRISPR make gene editing easier, raising concerns about the diffusion of deadly capabilities to the masses.

Building a societal 'immune system' against biothreats involves embracing synbio, prioritizing mental health, and citizen vigilance.

Synthetic biology's promise to cure diseases could, paradoxically, enable creation of super-pathogens that threaten humanity.