Josiah Zayner, the research activist known for experimenting with his own research: DNA injections, muscle growth factors, stool transplants and a live attempt to edit his own genes using the tool CRISPR. It is now being investigated by the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).
The investigation into illegal practice of the medical profession could have implications for all those who do "biohacking", the practice of altering their bodies with frontier implants or medical treatments.
Last Tuesday Zayner posted a message on his instagram account with a photo of a letter from the DCA asking him for clarification on the situation.
"I was accused of practicing medicine without a license for running an experiment on me and showing people how to access knowledge available to all," wrote the researcher. "The truth is, I didn't give anyone anything to inject, sell pharmaceutical materials or offer treatments."
It is not easy to understand how this investigation will proceed: the simple fact that it is underway can act as a deterrent for other biohackers to continue their practices or to spread them on social networks.
