Unnatural Selection

Inside Unnatural Selection: The Netflix Docuseries That Shocked Biohackers and Scientists Alike

Netflix’s Unnatural Selection (2019) didn’t just document the CRISPR revolution—it thrust viewers into the raw, unfiltered world of biohackers, rogue scientists, and ethical landmines. With a cast of real-life provocateurs like Josiah Zayner, the DIY CRISPR pioneer who injected himself with gene-edited muscle DNA on camera, and Aaron Traywick, the controversial CEO who later died in a sensory-deprivation tank, the series became a lightning rod for debates about who should control the future of human genetics. latestnetflix.com's take is that but behind the headlines, the production itself was a high-stakes gamble—one that left even its participants questioning its impact.

The Cast: Real-Life Provocateurs, Real Consequences

The series’ most explosive moments came from its subjects, not its script. Josiah Zayner, a former NASA scientist turned biohacker, used Unnatural Selection as a platform to livestream his self-experimentation, injecting himself with CRISPR-edited DNA in a bid to bulk up his muscles . The stunt, captured in the docuseries, sparked outrage among scientists, who warned of unintended genetic consequences. Zayner, unrepentant, later told Vice that the show was "a way to force the conversation" about democratizing gene editing .

Then there was Aaron Traywick, the CEO of Ascendance Biomedical, whose erratic behavior became a focal point of the series. Traywick, who once claimed he could cure herpes with gene therapy, was filmed in Unnatural Selection injecting himself with an untested treatment—only to later die in a bizarre incident involving a sensory-deprivation tank in 2018 . His inclusion in the series, filmed before his death, added a grim layer of foreshadowing to the project.

Other key figures included Jennifer Doudna, the Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR co-discoverer, who provided a measured counterpoint to the biohackers’ recklessness, and David Ishee, a Mississippi dog breeder attempting to genetically modify canines in his backyard . The clash of perspectives—between Doudna’s caution and Zayner’s "ask forgiveness, not permission" ethos—gave the series its dramatic tension.

The Making of a Controversial Docuseries

Unnatural Selection was produced by Netflix in partnership with Vice, a collaboration that raised eyebrows given Vice’s history of immersive, sometimes sensationalist journalism. The series’ trailer, released in October 2019, leaned heavily into the shock value of biohacking, with quick cuts of needles, lab equipment, and Zayner’s infamous self-injection . Critics noted the trailer’s tabloid tone, but the final product walked a finer line—balancing alarmism with genuine scientific curiosity.

One of the biggest unanswered questions is how the filmmakers gained such intimate access. Zayner, for instance, was already a polarizing figure before the series, but Unnatural Selection captured him at his most unguarded. In one scene, he’s seen editing genes in a makeshift lab, while in another, he debates ethics with Jeffrey Kahn, a bioethicist from Johns Hopkins . The series didn’t just observe—it amplified, turning its subjects into de facto spokespeople for a movement.

The Fallout: Did the Series Go Too Far?

The docuseries’ release coincided with a surge in public interest in CRISPR, but not everyone was thrilled with its portrayal. Some scientists accused the show of glorifying reckless experimentation, while biohackers like Zayner argued it didn’t go far enough in challenging regulatory barriers . The series’ 7.1/10 rating on SensCritique suggests viewers were divided, with some praising its boldness and others dismissing it as sensationalist .

One lingering rumor—unconfirmed by the evidence—is that Netflix initially hesitated to greenlight the project due to its controversial subject matter. If true, the gamble paid off: Unnatural Selection became a talking point in tech and science circles, even if it didn’t break out as a mainstream hit.

The Legacy: A Time Capsule of CRISPR’s Wild West Era

Three years after its release, Unnatural Selection reads like a time capsule of a moment when gene editing was still the Wild West. Traywick is dead, Zayner has pivoted to new projects, and CRISPR has become a household term—but the ethical questions the series raised remain unresolved. Did it push the conversation forward, or did it simply give oxygen to reckless stunts?

For better or worse, Unnatural Selection didn’t just document history—it became part of it.