What if aging was optional—and extinction reversible? In this mind-expanding episode of Ignition Sequence, geneticist and biotech pioneer Dr. George Church joins host Dylan Bohbot to explore the frontiers of gene therapy, de-extinction, and the future of human health. A founding scientist behind the Human Genome Project, and co-founder of Colossal Biosciences and Rejuvenate Bio, Dr. Church breaks down the science behind living longer, reviving extinct species like the woolly mammoth and dire wolf, and using synthetic biology to heal ecosystems—and ourselves.
The conversation spans decades of innovation, from the earliest genome sequencing breakthroughs to today’s radically affordable, precision therapies. Along the way, Dr. Church shares compelling stories, surprising stats, and visionary goals for how gene editing and de-extinction might actually reverse climate change and extend the healthy human lifespan well beyond 100.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
1. Why George Church believes there’s no biological limit to how long we can live
2. How gene therapy could “dose you for life” with a single treatment
3. What it takes to bring back an extinct species—and why it might help the planet
4. Why restoring biodiversity could be key to fighting climate change
5. What we can do right now to protect endangered species and future generations
Timestamps
00:00:35 – The origin of George Church’s legendary “mugshot” photo
00:03:15 – How the Human Genome Project really began—with the Department of Energy
00:06:21 – Crashing the cost of genome sequencing: from $3 billion to $250
00:12:49 – A pragmatic roadmap to reversing aging through gene therapy
00:17:56 – Can we live to 100 and feel like we’re 50? Church explains
00:24:35 – Why bringing back extinct species could help stop climate change
00:27:16 – How Colossal Biosciences uses ancient DNA to rewild modern ecosystems
00:33:25 – The dire wolf comeback: gene editing in action
00:35:22 – The thylacine, the mammoth, and other stretch-goal species
00:40:16 – Why the mammoth matters most to Dr. Church
00:43:47 – What we can all do now to protect biodiversity
00:47:09 – Gene drives, invasive species, and the ethics of ecological engineering
00:52:05 – George Church on curiosity, kindness, and what the future might look like
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🔗 Helpful Links
🔹 Colossal Biosciences: https://colossal.com
🔹 Rejuvenate Bio: https://rejuvenatebio.com
🔹 Church Lab at Harvard: https://churchlab.hms.harvard.edu/
