Human Nature Movie Review

This outstanding documentary is coming out at the perfect time. With the use of animation, it shows us a virus attacking a cell in our body, injecting its genetic material, and setting up shop to have that cell be its employee, making more and more of the virus. ‘Human Nature’ is packed with information about what the most significant tech revolution of the 21st Century.

It mostly focuses on a breakthrough called CRISPR, which, with its discovery, has now made changing DNA nearly possible. It leads us on the road toward something that has been the subject of many discussions for decades, and that’s precise gene modification and designing the next generation.

‘Human Nature’ explains how this is a good thing but also analyzes why it would be a bad idea. The people telling the audience what CRISPR is are the very scientists who helped create it. The only criticism about the film that I have is how the first forty minutes is structured. Often tedious in the beginning, it fails to touch us on a personal level. It introduces a lot of information about such things as the discovery of DNA and cells, which brings up thoughts of science class. We learn about biologist Robert Sinsheimer who back in 1966 declared publicly that there would come a time when man could alter his genes. In a video, he states that the ‘prospect is to me awesome in it’s potential,’ before going on that to say it could be a disaster.

We then meet a Sickle cell patient by the name of David Sanchez. What the disease is doing to David is explained, so we clearly understand the part proteins play in our blood. David comes in again at the end of the film to say something that should possibly be considered by scientists before moving forward with engineering our children. There’s an argument brought up by several people that it would be a good thing to remove the possibility of abnormalities in humans. Not only can people order blonde hair and blue eyes but the inability ever to have HIV or, now, the Coronavirus.

The contrary opinion is also covered. Would we want an evil dictator creating an army of super-soldiers who feel no pain? Speaking of feeling no pain, a study was done about a young boy who couldn’t feel pain. He had a mutation in the gene that makes the protein that transmits pain to the brain unable to work. However, the abnormality ended up not being a gift. Knowing he couldn’t experience pain, he took money for pushing boundaries. One day he pushed the limits a step too far and died at only fourteen.

Ethics is brought up by bioethicist Alta Charo, who, devoted ‘Star Trek’ fan, says making life better through technology is a wonderful thing but that it’s a power that may be used against us. And inevitably, when bringing up the subject of changing human DNA, the question of whether we’re playing God or not comes to the surface. This topic is brought up several times, in fact.

Molecular engineer, George Church, who wanted to bring back the mammoth, will also arise. Church is Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at Harvard and MIT. He now wants to reverse the process of aging, stating that at a much older age, he only now feels that he’s at a point where he can perform his job to its full potential. However, with a younger body, it might be possible to fully realize and see his goals come to fruition.

If you’re looking for something significant to watch, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this film and how the business of genetics is presented. I highly recommend watching. I could only cover so much, but please see it for much more than I could mention here. With old video footage of some of the most brilliants minds ever, plus interviews of professors and scientists of today, you’ll be entertained by this documentary and get some knowledge at the same time. You’ll also hear surprising advances in science that you may not have been aware of. So remarkable that it might be difficult to stop thinking about it. By the end of the movie, it’ll also be impossible not to consider what your opinion of this subject is.

Human Nature’ actually opened theatrically in NY & SF on March 13, 2020, but that was just as coronavirus fears took hold. Hence, the movie is now a home entertainment release, available on Apple/iTunes, Amazon, and other digital platforms.

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