Josiah Zayner, the activist researcher known for experimenting with his own research: DNA injections, muscle growth factors, fecal 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 for illegal practice of the medical profession could have implications for all those who do "biohacking", the practice of altering one's body with implants or frontier 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 performing an experiment on me and showing people how to access knowledge available to everyone,” wrote the researcher. “The truth is that I have not given anyone anything to inject, nor sold pharmaceutical materials nor offered 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.
