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DEF CON 25 - John Sotos - Genetic Diseases to Guide Digital Hacks of the Human Genome

DEFCONConference · 13.9K views · 2017-10-31 · 49:47

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Overview

John Sotos, a physician and former Intel chief medical officer, argues at DEF CON 25 that genetic diseases are exploitable vulnerabilities in the genome. He warns that CRISPR and related tools will make malicious genome hacks and targeted bioweapons feasible.

On Hacker News

Recommended whenever DNA testing, CRISPR or bioweapons come up, often as the talk that made commenters decide to keep their DNA out of databases.

Recommended by 11 HN people across 8 months · HN mentions 2017–2023

Topics

Security & hackingEvolution & geneticsBiology & biotechnology
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crisprbioweaponsdna privacydef congenetic engineering

What people said

ghj · 2023-12 · Strong recommendation

I remember deciding that I never want to ever have my DNA in any database after watching this talk: DEF CON 25 - John Sotos - Genetic Diseases to Guide Digital Hacks of the Human Genome (2017): [VIDEO]

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detritus · 2018-01 · Strong recommendation

If you're interested in this domain, I'd highly recommend watching the following Defcon Talk from Intel's Chief Medical Officer (who'd've thunkit?) which is illuminating and borderline terrifying.. 'DEF CON 25 - John Sotos - Genetic Diseases to Guide Digital Hacks of the Human Genome' [VIDEO]

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globuous · 2018-01 · Strong recommendation

I always kinda curious about dna heritage testing. Until I saw John Sotos' talk at Def Con 25 [0]. He highly recommands you keep your genome private. And that you only give it away if it is vital (aka you're really sick). The talk is absolutely amazing, probably the most captivating talk I have ever watched (thanks HN commenter that shared it a while ago). But anyway, Sotos specifically tells his audience that, as a security measure, they shouldn't release their dna to heritage services. Because it isn't vital. Anywhi, great talk, highly recommand it although Sotos mentions DNA testing for heritage for a few seconds only, so slightly off topic :) [0] [VIDEO]

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Sources

Video by DEFCONConference, played through YouTube.

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