In this episode, Dr. Rhonda Patrick speaks with Dr. George Church—legendary geneticist, pioneer of genome sequencing, and one of the founding figures behind the Human Genome Project. The conversation dives deep into how genome reading and writing could transform medicine, longevity, and the future of our species.

Key Points:

This episode offers a visionary look at how genome engineering could eliminate disease and transform what it means to age. Church’s insights illuminate both the technical promise and ethical stakes of synthetic biology’s future.

• The Power of Genome Editing: George Church explains how editing DNA is essential not only to understand biology but also to build new tools. Like debugging code, writing genomes helps scientists discover gene functions and design synthetic life with beneficial traits.
• Human Genome Project to Genome Writing: Church reflects on the early days of the Human Genome Project and how it evolved from sequencing a single genome to today’s ambitious efforts in genome writing—including building entire chromosomes from scratch.
• Creating Virus-Resistant Life: By rewriting the genetic code in organisms, Church’s lab has created cells that are resistant to all known viruses. This could lead to virus-proof crops, livestock, and eventually humans—ushering in a new age of biological safety.
• De-extinction and Ecosystem Restoration: Church discusses de-extinction projects like reviving woolly mammoths, not for spectacle but to help restore Arctic ecosystems. Multiplex genome editing is key to reinstating lost traits in extinct or endangered species.
• Xenotransplantation- Organs from Gene-Edited Pigs: Through precision editing, Church’s team has eliminated harmful viruses from pig genomes, opening doors to safer organ transplants for humans—potentially solving the organ shortage crisis.
• Ageing as a Programmable Condition: Church believes ageing is partially a programmable process. His team has reversed signs of ageing in animals using gene therapies, pointing toward future human applications aimed at extending healthy lifespan.
• Organoids, AI, and Future Models of Testing: Human organoids (mini-organs) and AI tools like AlphaFold are revolutionizing how therapies are tested—offering alternatives to animal models and enabling rapid discovery in drug and genome design.
• Equity, Ethics & the Future of Gene Editing: Church emphasizes the importance of ethical frameworks, equitable access, and informed public dialogue in advancing powerful genome technologies—cautioning against overhype and advocating for balance.