The scientist rewriting DNA, and the future of medicine
"A revolution is underway in gene editing—and at its forefront is David Liu, an American molecular biologist whose pioneering work is rewriting the building blocks of life with unprecedented precision.
A professor at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Liu was awarded a Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences on Saturday for developing two transformative technologies: one already improving the lives of patients with severe genetic diseases, the other poised to reshape medicine in the years ahead."
“While traditional gene therapies often disrupt faulty genes or work around them, base editing repairs the mutation itself.”
"Liu’s lab has made much of its work freely accessible, sharing DNA blueprints through a nonprofit library used by tens of thousands of labs worldwide.
“The science we create—which is ultimately funded by society, through governments and donors—ultimately goes back to benefit society.”
This year’s Breakthrough Prize awards come at a fraught moment for U.S. science, as President Donald Trump’s government strips funding for institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“The NIH is a treasure, not just for this country but for the world,” said Liu. “Trying to dismantle the heart of what supports science in this country is like burning your seed corn.”"
Chris, thats Liz Parrish talking in that video about here gene therapy experiences… definitely not a guy
Here is a summary of what she’s done… but its more biohacking than evidence…
Elizabeth Parrish, CEO of BioViva Sciences, is widely known as “Patient Zero” for undergoing experimental gene therapies in 2015 aimed at reversing biological aging.
I. The Gene Therapy Process
To bypass US FDA regulations, Parrish traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, in September 2015 to receive multiple injections. The process involved the use of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vectors to deliver genetic material directly into her cells.
She received a dual-gene therapy treatment:
hTERT (Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase): This therapy was intended to upregulate the production of telomerase, an enzyme that lengthens telomeres (the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes), which shorten as we age. The goal was to reverse cellular aging systemically.
Follistatin: This therapy was intended to increase the production of follistatin, a protein that inhibits myostatin. Myostatin limits muscle growth, so inhibiting it aims to increase muscle mass and combat sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss).
Additional Therapies:
In subsequent years, Parrish has claimed to have also self-administered gene therapies for Klotho (associated with cognitive function and longevity) and PGC-1α (associated with mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic regulation), though the 2015 dual-therapy remains the most publicized event.
II. Presented Results
The results available are primarily self-reported by Parrish and BioViva through press releases, conference presentations, and social media. They have not been validated in a standard, independent clinical trial setting.
1. Telomere Length (Leukocytes)
Initial Claim (2016): BioViva reported that Parrish’s leukocyte (white blood cell) telomere length increased from 6.71kb (September 2015) to 7.33kb (March 2016). They claimed this equated to a reversal of approximately “20 years” of biological aging.
Long-term Claims: In later updates (e.g., 2018, 2023), Parrish stated that her telomeres have continued to lengthen, maintaining a length significantly longer than average for her chronological age.
2. Muscle Mass & Composition
MRI Data: Parrish released MRI images of her thighs purportedly showing an increase in lean muscle mass and a reduction in intramuscular fat (“marbling”) following the therapy.
Context: She claimed these results occurred despite doing less exercise than before the treatment, attributing the changes directly to the Follistatin gene therapy.
3. Metabolic Biomarkers
Blood Markers: She has reported improvements in metabolic health, specifically significant reductions in blood triglycerides and fasting blood glucose levels.
III. Publication Status & Scientific Verification
It is critical to distinguish between Parrish’s personal N=1 data and formal scientific publications.
No Peer-Reviewed Paper on Her Results: There is no peer-reviewed scientific paper formally publishing the data from Parrish’s self-experiment. The data exists as case study information released by her company.
Scientific Criticism: Experts have raised several caveats regarding her results:
N=1 Sample Size: Results from a single individual cannot prove safety or efficacy.
Measurement Noise: Telomere length in white blood cells can fluctuate naturally due to stress, infection, or lifestyle factors. A change of ~0.6kb may fall within the margin of error or natural variation.
Lack of Independent Verification: The data collection and analysis were not conducted by a disinterested third party under blinded trial conditions.
Retracted Mouse Study (2025): While not her personal data, BioViva (with Harvard’s George Church) published a paper in PNAS regarding a new CMV viral vector for telomerase and follistatin in mice. This paper was retracted in 2025 due to discrepancies in the image data, which the authors disputed but which led to the journal’s decision.
Dementia Study: BioViva published a small human study involving Klotho and hTERT in patients with dementia in the Journal of Regenerative Biology and Medicine, claiming safety and some cognitive maintenance, but this journal is not considered a top-tier, high-impact publication.
Summary Table
Feature
Details
Date & Location
Sept 2015, Colombia (medical tourism to bypass FDA).
Vector
AAV (Adeno-Associated Virus).
Genes
hTERT (Telomerase) and Follistatin.
Primary Claim
Telomeres lengthened (~20 biological years reversed); muscle mass increased.
Verification
Self-reported/Company data. No independent peer review for her specific case.
Status
Unverified scientifically; functions as a high-profile “biohacking” case study.
