Gideon Lichfield and Lauren Goode talk to Andrew Hessel, a scientist, writer and entrepreneur who is working to push forward the field of synthetic biology — the science of genetically modifying organisms for everything from vaccines to food production. They discuss how modified viruses can be used to treat a range of cancers, and the wide ranging, science-fiction-like implications of the field.

Gideon Lichfield and Lauren Goode talk to Andrew Hessel, a scientist, writer and entrepreneur who is working to push forward the field of synthetic biology — the science of genetically modifying organisms for everything from vaccines to food production. They discuss how modified viruses can be used to treat a range of cancers, and the wide ranging, science-fiction-like implications of the field.

The Viruses That Could Cure Cancer (And Maybe Wipe Out Humanity)

The future. It’s exciting; it’s discomforting. We don’t know what’s happening next— in the next four minutes on Twitter or in the next four years of democracy. Have a Nice Future is a new podcast from WIRED, where each week, Wired’s Senior Writer Lauren Goode &amp; Contributor Gideon Lichfield speak with the top technologists, thinkers, and creators who are shaping this future we’re racing into. Every episode, we’ll ask each guest—and ourselves—the same question: Is this the future we want? And if not, where do we go from here?Love this podcast? <a href="https://shop.wired.com/collections/accessories/products/the-have-a-nice-future-tote?utm_source=mag&amp;utm_brand=wired&amp;utm_campaign=podcast&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_term=hanf_tote">Click here</a> to shop our special edition tote bag featuring the stand-out artwork.

Technology

The future. It’s exciting; it’s discomforting. We don’t know what’s happening next— in the next four minutes on Twitter or in the next four years of democracy. Have a Nice Future is a new podcast from WIRED, where each week, Wired’s Senior Writer Lauren Goode & Contributor Gideon Lichfield speak with the top technologists, thinkers, and creators who are shaping this future we’re racing into. Every episode, we’ll ask each guest—and ourselves—the same question: Is this the future we want? And if not, where do we go from here? Love this podcast? Click here to shop our special edition tote bag featuring the stand-out artwork.

The future. It’s exciting; it’s discomforting. We don’t know what’s happening next— in the next four minutes on Twitter or in the next four years of democracy. Have a Nice Future is a new podcast from WIRED, where each week, Wired’s Senior Writer Lauren Goode &amp; Contributor Gideon Lichfield speak with the top technologists, thinkers, and creators who are shaping this future we’re racing into. Every episode, we’ll ask each guest—and ourselves—the same question: Is this the future we want? And if not, where do we go from here?Love this podcast? <a href="https://shop.wired.com/collections/accessories/products/the-have-a-nice-future-tote?utm_source=mag&amp;utm_brand=wired&amp;utm_campaign=podcast&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_term=hanf_tote" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here</a> to shop our special edition tote bag featuring the stand-out artwork.

Share The Viruses That Could Cure Cancer (And Maybe Wipe Out Humanity)

Sign up to save your podcasts

The Viruses That Could Cure Cancer (And Maybe Wipe Out Humanity)

The Viruses That Could Cure Cancer (And Maybe Wipe Out Humanity)

More shows like Have A Nice Future | WIRED

Uncanny Valley | WIRED

WIRED Politics Lab

Foresight with Greg Williams

The WIRED Podcast

The Big Interview