Prophets of Technology: The Biotech Visionaries

This episode of the TED Radio Hour, titled "The Prophets of Technology," explores the blurring boundaries between biology and technology, focusing on the human body and mind. The episode features interviews with biochemist Jennifer Doudna, who discusses the CRISPR gene-editing technology, its potential to cure genetic diseases, and the ethical considerations surrounding its use, including the possibility of "designer babies." It also includes an interview with vascular neurosurgeon Tom Oxley, who explains his company Synchron's brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, which uses a stent-based implant to help people with neurological diseases control devices with their minds. Finally, the episode features legal scholar Nita Farahany, who discusses the need for legal safeguards to protect cognitive liberty and mental privacy in an era of increasing brain monitoring and enhancement technologies.