"...weather we like it or not - we are living in a time of transition. After two billion years this is, in a sense, the end of the beginning."
Robert Sinsheimer, Biologist, CalTech 26th June 1966
From a basic understanding the DNA structure and the mapping of its fingerprints - to the beginning of understanding what various parts do - has been an ongoing journey. A journey that, until this decade, fell short of our ability to "precisely manipulate"
Now the first DNA tools are in the toolbox. We are gaining the ability to "cut and paste" DNA. Not only in our surroundings - but in are very own beings, not only in all life forms but in all offspring.
This capability has "blasted" into the world with such velocity - question is; are we prepared for it's effects - the bad as well as good. The consequences of editing DNA raise philosophical questions of epic proportions.
To a large extent Human Nature attempts to explain; the principles of CRISPR, it's possible implementations and the ethical considerations - in parallel. This approach may be useful for keeping the audience hooked but, arguably, the end result would have benefited from a "chapter approach". It also leaves the impression that the topics aren't done to perfection.
This is not necessarily a good documentary - in the sense well made. The story itself is, however, so mind blowing and important that it gets a bonus with regards to rating - purely on the importance of the information conveyed.
It is a must see - more on the merit of what it is saying, than how it is saying it. We have unleashed enormous powers - knowledge and debate are required to temper them. The sooner more of us grasp the concept of CRISPR and Cas9 - the sooner can we influence; how and in which direction we want it to go.
The alarm bell just went off, it's a fire alarm - hitting the snooze button won't work.
