Every area of our lives has been infiltrated by technology. There are numerous wearable devices on the market that measure our steps, heart rate, blood pressure, and other parameters. This information is useful in sustaining our health. However, these wearables are not yet mature enough to directly influence our metabolism or assist us in managing some of our disorders. An ETH Zurich experiment has proven that we may use electricity to affect our DNA! “Wearable electronic devices are playing a rapidly expanding role in the acquisition of individuals’ health data for personalized medical interventions,” the researchers write in their published paper. The paper has been published in the journal Nature Metabolism, as reported by Sciencealert. “However, wearables cannot yet directly program gene-based therapies because of the lack of a direct electromagnetic interface. Here we provide the missing link.”
How DART technology can benefit
Consider the case of a diabetic person. If the procedure is employed to increase insulin production in the body, it will undoubtedly benefit the patient. Human pancreatic cells were injected into mice with type 1 diabetes for this investigation. These cells were then stimulated using direct current from acupuncture needles. The technology is known as DART (DC)-actuated regulatory technology. According to the experts, the technique combines the digital technology of electronics and the analog technology of our bodies.
Electricity produces non-toxic quantities of reactive oxygen species. These are energetic molecules that, when properly managed, can initiate a process that leads to cell activation and are engineered to respond to changes in chemistry. According to the study, this is effectively changing how DNA inside the cell is regulated by messing with its epigenetic ‘on/off switch’. This can help with a range of genetically influenced conditions. So, are we on the verge of purchasing a Fitbit band that will modify us genetically? Although it may be too soon to say that the experiment has surely taken the first steps toward such a future.
