What Happens in Human Nature?
The complete story of Human Nature, from the first scene to the last, in 242 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Human Nature is a film documentary which presents an in-depth description of the gene editing process of CRISPR, and its possible implications. The film includes the perspective of the scientists who invented the process, and of the genetic engineers who are applying the process. The CRISPR process, a 2013 breakthrough in biology, provides a way of controlling the basic genetic processes of life.
In addition, the film documentary considers several relevant questions including, How will this new gene-editing ability change our relationship with nature? and, What will this new gene-editing ability mean for human evolution? The film, in beginning to answer such questions, presents a review of the distant past and takes an educated look into the future.
The film features the story of David Sanchez, a young man with sickle cell disease. He is first featured in the hospital, sharing his experience as he gets a red blood cell transfusion. This treatment is currently one of the only available for people with sickle cell to help manage severe pain crises. Geneticists Tshaka Cunningham, Ph.D. and Matt Porteus, M.D. discuss the prospect of using CRISPR to treat sickle cell disease at its genetic source. Porteus is set to start a clinical trial at Stanford University using CRISPR to treat sickle cell disease. At the end of the film, Sanchez speaks specifically about the role that sickle cell has had in shaping who he is today, stating “I don’t think I’d be me.”
