Biohacking: Key Legal, Moral and Commercial considerations
Biohacking is a rapidly growing movement that combines technology, biology, and self-experimentation to optimize human performance and well-being. It encompasses a range of practices, from genetic modifications and wearable technology to cognitive enhancement and nutritional interventions. In the European Union (EU), where health, technology, and data privacy regulations are extensive, the rise of biohacking challenges traditional legal and ethical boundaries and raises complex regulatory questions. While biohacking offers individuals unprecedented control over their physical and mental capabilities, it often operates on the fringes of legality, exploiting regulatory gaps. This article explores biohacking’s core practices and examines the legal frameworks, including treaties like the Oviedo Convention, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and other relevant EU policies, along with the regulatory loopholes that biohackers navigate and the broader implications for regulat...