The Forefront to Evolution
The Transition from
Biotechnology to Biohacking
September, 1928
Alexander Fleming, a rather significant bacteriologist in the history of biotechnology, discovers the penicillin drug from a discarded petri dish. This discovery provides a spark to the fire that is biotechnology, and a message which embodies the idea of biohacking in that miracles in science do not require multi-million dollar laboratories, and can be discovered virtually anywhere. (T1)
1972
Paul Berg, a scientist at Stanford University, published his experiment results of being the first person to successfully assemble DNA molecules that combined genes from different organisms. This event is the general mark of the beginning of modern biotechnology and serves as a significant milestone in the study of recombinant DNA. (T2)
January 31, 1988
The first known article on Biohacking title Playing God In Your Basement by Michael Schrage is published and posted on The Washington Post. The article itself discusses how biotechnology is getting easier and cheaper to do. The article also serves as an advocate in the transition of modern laboratory biotechnology to the do-it-yourself science of biohacking. (T3)
January 6, 1990
The second known article focused on Biohacking titled Roses are Black, Violets are Green - The Emergence of Amateur Genetic Engineers by Sylvan Katz is published on the New Scientist magazine. The article outlines the basics of what Biohacking is and what little equipment and supplies a would-be biohacker would actually need in order to begin biohacking. (T4)
May 1, 2005
Biohacking innovator Rob Carlson writes in an article titled Splice it Yourself that was published on WIRED magazine. In the article, Carlson talks about what it takes to get started with microbiological biohacking in terms of finance and skills, along with ways to get better at biohacking or "bench biology." (T5)
December 31, 2008
The DIYbio organization is founded by Jason Bobe and Mackenzie Cowell, and its first meeting was held. The DIYbio organization is an informal organization for active individuals and local groups interested in do-it-yourself biotechnology. It serves as a global network of individuals for citizens, biohackers, do-it-yourself biologists, and amateur biologists. (T7)
2010
BioCurious, the very first biohackerspace is founded in Sunnyvale, California by six entrepreneurs; Eri Gentry, Kristina Hathaway, Josh Perfetto, Raymond McCauley, Joseph Jackson, and Tito Jankowski. BioCurious allows for a safe and secure environment for biohackers old and new to conduct and develop experiments. (T8)
March 12, 2013
Counter Culture Labs, another of the relatively well known biohackerspaces in America is founded in the Temescal neighborhood of Oakland, California. Like Biocurious, Counter Culture Labs offers a space for creative exploration and discovery in Biotechnology, and provides the necesseties for DIYbiotechnology and citizen science. (T9)
Aug 31 - Sept 1, 2018
The most well known conference to focus solely on biohacking is held in Oakland, California. The event is hosted and administered by the biohacking company BioHack The Planet, and holds many panels for biohacking innovators such as Cory Tobin, Eri Gentry, and Anthony Di Franco. (T10)
