CPOY 73 Documentary Award of Excellence: Humans of the Future

New technologies such as bio- and nanotechnology, robotics but also less invasive tendencies such as biohacking and Virtual Reality has the ability to change what it means to be human shaped by nature and evolution. Are we creating a new human species: Homo Sapiens 2.0? Philosophers and specialists think so, and genome editing, nano drones and brain-computer interfaces has the ability to change mankind as we know it. The 2018 data scandal shows how new technologies can be used unethically but also just how little people and politicians know about these very complicated new technologies. Humans of The Future is a photojournalistic piece about new technologies and the way they will affect humans and allow us to be better versions of ourselves.

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The CRISPR genome editing method is from 2012 but already wide spread in the world of science. Morten Lundh is associate professor at Center for Metabolic Research and he uses CRISPR in his research in type-2 diabetes. He uses CRISPR to change how mice reacts to insulin. He calls CRISPR a "game changer" and explains how the method makes it very easy and precise to change in genetic material. It is a cut and paste method that makes it possible to cut out and replace genes. Theoretically it is possible to design genes for intellect, physical appearance and much more, and it can also eliminate a long list of genetic diseaes. The mouse in this picture is modified with CRISPR. Afterwards it got colored and put in glycerol to see how it develops cartilage after the gene editing.

Malene Anthony / Danish School of Journalism

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