Citizen Bio

Citizen Bio is a intrigue-filled 2020 documentary that dives into the controversial, captivating, and often dangerous world of biohacking and DIY science. Directed by Trish Dolman, the movie features notable faces including Aaron Traywick, Mac Davis, and Russ Foxx, among others. It's an eye-opening exploration of a booming subculture that cheekily challenges the nuances of medical ethics, modern legislation, and human physiology.

The documentary focuses on the life and work of Aaron Traywick, a passionate biohacker whose radical methods, daring experiments, and provocatively disruptive ideology make him a fascinating, if contentious, figure. Traywick, the CEO of Ascendance Biomedical, is recognized for his controversial tactics and his pursuit of a world where individuals can take health care decisions into their own hands, freed from perceived restrictions imposed by regulatory bodies.

Mac Davis, a stalwart advocate for rover moon mission and advanced space technologies, also features in this narrative, providing a counterpoint to Traywick's audacious biohacking exploits. Perhaps most intriguingly, however, is the contribution of Russ Foxx, a renowned body modification artist and extreme biohacker from Vancouver, whose eccentric experiments push the boundaries of what is considered humanly possible.

Citizen Bio provides a riveting, in-depth look into a budding subculture, its champions, its motives, and the ethical conundrums it poses. At its core, the documentary raises the fundamental question of where we should draw the line between individual freedom and regulated safety. Equally gripping is the exploration of how far the human body can be pushed, modified, and improved.

By delving into the wider biohacking community, Dolman extends the narrative beyond Traywick’s daring self-experimentations. The film offers viewers a window into several other biohackers' philosophies and reasons for willingly stepping across the lines of what society generally deems acceptable in the name of self-improvement and experimentation.

From exploring the possibilities of injecting oneself with a personally developed COVID-19 vaccine to cybernetic enhancements meant to expand human capabilities, the documentary presents an array of unconventional, at times shocking, projects conducted by this group of ambitious, creative individuals.

Citizen Bio is an intense, thought-provoking investigation into a subculture that is all at once eccentric, dangerous, inspiring, and ethically challenging. It offers no easy moral judgments or comforting solutions but leaves viewers with significant food for thought about the wider implications of these types of unconventional endeavors.

While the film doesn't shy away from showing the more startling aspects of biohacking, it also presents a balanced view of this controversial field by featuring voices of critics and bioethicists. These voices offer more subdued, sober perspectives against the audacious experiments of Traywick and his counterparts, questioning whether this is a field that should be pursued and enthusiastically embraced or strictly regulated for potential risks it carries.

The strength of Citizen Bio lies in Dolman's nuanced, multifaceted approach to presenting this complex, highly controversial subject matter. It highlights an assertive counter-argument to societal norms and medical conventions, one that rests on individual liberties and mankind's incessant urge to push the frontiers of the known.

Despite the eccentricities and risks associated with biohacking, one can't help but marvel at the audacity of these individuals, who dare to challenge established norms and continuously push the boundaries of human capabilities. Citizen Bio forces us to ponder upon the ethical, legal, and safety complexities that emerge when individuals chase progress on their terms, far from the conventional paths.

In summary, Citizen Bio serves up a unique, mind-boggling cocktail of daring characters and audacious science, neatly wrapped up in the ethical and philosophical debates central to its theme. By the time the credits roll, viewers will find themselves thoroughly engrossed, challenged, and possibly even enchanted by the brave new world of biohacking as presented in this exceptional documentary. While it may appeal particularly to fans of DIY science and technology, Citizen Bio is an essential watch for anyone willing to ponder upon the peripheries of medical ethics, personal liberties, and the unchartered territories of human potential.