CRISPR and the Future of Human Advancement episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 28, 2026 · 7 MIN

CRISPR and the Future of Human Advancement

from Be Smart. · host Joe Hanson

Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate Part 4 of our special series on Human Ancestry. Watch it all ►► http://bit.ly/OKTBSHuman Watch Mutant Menu on BrainCraft: https://youtu.be/NrDM6Ic2xMM ↓↓↓More info and sources below ↓↓↓ In part 4 of our special series on human ancestry and evolution, we look into the future. Now that genetic engineering tools like CRISPR allow us to edit our genes, how will that impact human evolution going forward? Are designer babies or eugenics around the corner? Welcome to a world of nonrandom mutation and unnatural selection. ----------- REFERENCES: WHO fact sheet on obesity risks and death vs underweight: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/ Jinek, M., Chylinski, K., Fonfara, I., Hauer, M., Doudna, J. A., & Charpentier, E. (2012). A programmable dual-RNA–guided DNA endonuclease in adaptive bacterial immunity. Science, 337(6096), 816-821. Knoepfler, P. (2015). GMO Sapiens: the life-changing science of designer babies. World Scientific. Enriquez, J., & Gullans, S. (2015). Evolving Ourselves. Oneworld Publications. ----------- FOLLOW US: Merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter: @okaytobesmart @DrJoeHanson Tumblr: http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com Instagram: @DrJoeHanson ----------- It’s Okay To Be Smart is hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D. Director: Joe Nicolosi Writer: Joe Hanson Producer/editor/animator: Andrew Matthews Producer: Stephanie Noone and Amanda Fox Produced by PBS Digital Studios Music via APM Stock images from Shutterstock http://www.shutterstock.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate Part 4 of our special series on Human Ancestry. Watch it all ►► http://bit.ly/OKTBSHuman Watch Mutant Menu on BrainCraft: https://youtu.be/NrDM6Ic2xMM ↓↓↓More info and sources below ↓↓↓ In part 4 of our special series on human ancestry and evolution, we look into the future. Now that genetic engineering tools like CRISPR allow us to edit our genes, how will that impact human evolution going forward? Are designer babies or eugenics around the corner? Welcome to a world of nonrandom mutation and unnatural selection. ----------- REFERENCES: WHO fact sheet on obesity risks and death vs underweight: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/ Jinek, M., Chylinski, K., Fonfara, I., Hauer, M., Doudna, J. A., & Charpentier, E. (2012). A programmable dual-RNA–guided DNA endonuclease in adaptive bacterial immunity. Science, 337(6096), 816-821. Knoepfler, P. (2015). GMO Sapiens: the life-changing science of designer babies. World Scientific. Enriquez, J., & Gullans, S. (2015). Evolving Ourselves. Oneworld Publications. ----------- FOLLOW US: Merch: https://store.dftba.com/collections/its-okay-to-be-smart Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Twitter: @okaytobesmart @DrJoeHanson Tumblr: http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com Instagram: @DrJoeHanson ----------- It’s Okay To Be Smart is hosted by Joe Hanson, Ph.D. Director: Joe Nicolosi Writer: Joe Hanson Producer/editor/animator: Andrew Matthews Producer: Stephanie Noone and Amanda Fox Produced by PBS Digital Studios Music via APM Stock images from Shutterstock http://www.shutterstock.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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CRISPR and the Future of Human Advancement

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This episode was published on June 28, 2026.

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Viewers like you help make PBS (Thank you 😃) . Support your local PBS Member Station here: https://to.pbs.org/PBSDSDonate Part 4 of our special series on Human Ancestry. Watch it all ►► http://bit.ly/OKTBSHuman Watch Mutant Menu on BrainCraft:...

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