2029: Transformation of Humanity
The U.S. ratifies organ clone legislation, biohacking reshapes fitness, and next-gen health insurance disrupts Europe’s public systems
The United States ratifies legislation allowing the use of embryos for organ growth up to 25 weeks. This controversial move creates a new market for biobanking "clones" for individuals with organ failure, marking the beginning of the end for subpar matching and long waitlists for organ replacements. Dr. Sarah Chen, lead researcher at the newly formed National Institute for Regenerative Medicine, hails the decision as "a turning point in human history." In a widely viewed stream, she explains, "We're not just extending lives; we've created a fountain of youth". Serious advancements have been made in the bioprinting front as well with the first successful bioprinted human heart being implanted in 2029. Importantly, this happens in the US which shows it still has an important place on the stage of biohacking.
However, this progress is not without its detractors. Religious groups and bioethicists raise concerns about the commodification of human life. Protests erupt outside fertility clinics and research institutions, with placards reading "Embryos are not spare parts" and "Say no to designer organs." The debate rages on talk shows and social media, forcing politicians and public figures to take sides in what becomes one of the most divisive issues of the year.
While the organ growth debate dominates headlines, a quieter revolution is taking place in the fitness industry. Equinox, the luxury gym chain, completes its transformation into a high-end “longevity” clinic. Every Equinox location now boasts cryotherapy chambers and hyperbaric chambers, alongside traditional workout equipment. Equinox boasts LLM-based and real human longevity coaches. The move to become a longevity clinic isn’t just opportunistic, it’s survivalistic. Since many who have undergone follistatin gene therapy no longer needing to lift weights to be ‘buff’. This shift reflects the growing mainstream acceptance of biohacking interventions. Equinox reports a 300% increase in membership and a stock price that triples within six months of the rollout. The success of Equinox's longevity clinics sparks a trend, with other high-end gyms and spas rushing to incorporate biohacking technologies.
As biohacking interventions become more mainstream, the medical establishment finds itself divided. A heated debate erupts over the legitimacy of longevity medicine as a specialty. The controversy culminates in a referendum vote within the American Medical Association. The two main factions of doctors are those advocating for a focus on health maintenance versus those pushing for human enhancement. A leading voice in the pro-health camp, argues, "Our primary duty is to heal and prevent disease, not to create superhumans." On the other side, Dr. Marcus Wei counters, "The line between treatment and enhancement is arbitrary. We have a moral imperative to improve human capabilities if we can do so safely." After months of heated debate and intense lobbying from both sides, the referendum fails to pass, leaving both camps under the same umbrella. This outcome, while maintaining unity on paper, does little to resolve the underlying tensions within the medical community. The debate spills over into public discourse, with patients increasingly questioning the philosophical stances of their healthcare providers.
International Expansion
On the global stage, several countries emerge as unexpected winners in the biohacking revolution - an arms race of biohacking. Dubai, Mexico, Honduras, and Montenegro all report a considerable increase in GDP due to "longevity tourism" from wealthy Westerners. Despite U.S. efforts to re-shore scientific talent, these international hubs remain vibrant, profitable, and scientifically pioneering.
Each hub develops a specialty: Honduras, through its Vitalia program, becomes the go-to destination for muscle enhancement, building on the foundation laid by Minicircle but now hosting over 10 thriving competitors. Mexico, leveraging its early expertise in cell therapy for cancer treatment, becomes renowned for multi-cell replacements in the nervous system. Previously a fast-follower, Montenegro establishes itself as the leader in experimental senolytic therapies, focusing on eliminating aged cells to prevent cascading negative effects. Dubai positions itself as a one-stop-shop, offering a wide range of services but is generally regarded as inferior to the more specialized hubs. The World Health Organization convenes a special committee to develop guidelines for international biohacking tourism, aiming to strike a balance between innovation and patient safety.
In a surprising development, next-generation health insurance companies expand internationally, providing services across Europe. Despite the presence of "free" healthcare in many countries, a shocking 5% of the population of Europe signs up over night. This rapid expansion of private health insurance in countries with established public healthcare systems sends shockwaves through the political landscape. Italy leaves the EU this year and in order to set a narrative of positive trajectory, the country signs a deal with next-generation health provider, BioSure. In the UK, the Labour Party accuses the Conservative government of deliberately underfunding the NHS to pave the way for privatization. In France, unions call for strikes to protest what they see as a threat to the country's social model. The debate forces a global reckoning with the future of healthcare financing in an age of radical life extension.
A new movement of "Bio-Symbiotic Produce" begins as the next generation of ‘Hyper-ganic’ food from 2025. We’re within a decade of coming to market - Bio-Symbiotic Produce represents the next evolution beyond nutritionally enhanced foods, combining advanced biotechnology with principles of ecological harmony and personalized nutrition. Key features include:
Adaptive nutrient profiles where plants can dynamically adjust their nutrient content based on environmental conditions and the specific nutritional needs of the consumer.
Using advanced sensors and gene expression modulation, the produce "communicates" with smart devices to optimize its nutritional output.
Not only this but Bio-Symbiotic Produce encourages consumers’ microbiome enhancement.
The art world is not immune to the biohacking revolution. Several famous artists come forward, revealing that they've been using neuromodulation devices to enhance creativity and maintain "flow" states for extended periods. The trailblazing Yayoi Kusama, at the age of 100, is the first to admit her use of neuromodulation, followed by Ai Weiwei and Anselm Kiefer. All three artists have recent sell-out installations around the world, their late-career renaissances now attributed to technological enhancement. Some critics decry the use of neuromodulation as "cheating," while others hail it as the next frontier in artistic expression. The Venice Biennale dedicates its 2029 edition to exploring the intersection of technology and creativity, featuring works created with and without neuroenhancement side by side.
The scientific understanding of art creation takes a quantum leap forward as researchers use focused ultrasound (FUS) devices to recreate the brain states of artists as they were creating modern masterpieces. This breakthrough leads to experiments in fusing artistic styles and even allowing individuals to temporarily experience the neural patterns of great artists. The implications extend far beyond the art world, with educators exploring applications in apprenticeship professions such those involving high-stakes negotiations or piloting combat vehicles.
The pharmaceutical industry undergoes a seismic shift as incumbents which were previously trying to sue peptide companies, decide to embrace the market. By the end of 2029, ten pharmaceutical companies are valued at over $1 trillion each, a feat that would have seemed impossible just a few years earlier.
This astronomical growth raises concerns about the concentration of power in the hands of a few mega-corporations. Antitrust regulators in the US and EU launch investigations into potential monopolistic practices. Meanwhile, access to these cutting-edge treatments becomes a major political issue, with calls for nationalization of drug development on one side and arguments for maintaining a free market to drive innovation on the other.
The year also sees a major scandal that serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with overpromising in the biohacking world. Haus of the Un-dead, a company that had captured the public imagination with its promises of human resurrection, is sued by the US government for making misleading claims about the timescales in which they could bring people back to life. The ensuing trial of the company's executives becomes a media spectacle, drawing comparisons to the Elizabeth Holmes case. The company's flamboyant CEO in his testimony insists, "We were so close to conquering death itself," becomes an instant meme and cautionary tale for overzealous biohackers.
On the research front, 2029 sees several breakthrough publications that further legitimize the work being done in non-US hubs. A group in Honduras publishes a landmark paper in Nature Medicine, demonstrating systemic delivery of follistatin by a next-generation AAV vector, with two years of longitudinal tracking. This study not only validates the scientific rigor of research conducted in these hubs but also showcases the potential of gene therapy for muscle enhancement. The gene and protein delivery space reaches new levels of maturity. In vivo gene editing of T-cells enters Phase II clinical trials, building on the tremendous secondary readouts from Phase I. Many rare diseases are now routinely treated with gene therapy, and a growing number of individuals in their 20s and 30s are seeking genetic modifications to change their APOE variant, hoping to reduce their risk of Alzheimer's disease. Manufacturing breakthroughs in strain engineering and cell-free techniques lead to cheaper and broader distribution of gene therapy technologies. This democratization of access raises new ethical questions about who should have the right to alter their genetic code and for what purposes.
In the biologics space, a new modality called "anti-modi" emerges as the latest scaffold, optimized by AI. These molecules, much smaller than traditional antibodies, demonstrate superior binding and tissue penetration dynamics. The breakthrough promises to revolutionize targeted drug delivery and opens up new possibilities for treating previously intractable conditions.
Enhanced computational biology models simulate complex biological interactions, improving the accuracy of biohacking interventions. For example, AI-mediated deconvolution of immune B-cells gives a full picture of disease (including cancer) that a person has been exposed to. This removes the need for tracking vaccines on pen and paper, as patients will be tested for all possible immune antigens at annual doctor visits. This data feeds into biosecurity tracking for understanding emergence of new pathogens and pre-emptive immune detection.
Encouraged by positive Phase II evidence, Dyno Therapeutics/Roche/Spark begin construction on a state-of-the-art gene editing clinic in Honduras. This move cements Honduras's position as a global leader in genetic medicine and raises questions about the future of medical tourism and international regulation of cutting-edge treatments.
Biohacking’s Quantum Leap
By 2029, the rare disease community has become a driving force in the biohacking revolution, leveraging advanced gene therapies, AI-driven drug discovery, and international treatment hubs to tackle previously untreatable conditions. Decentralized clinical trials, run by patient advocacy groups and powered by AI analytics, accelerate the development of personalized treatments. The combination of routine gene therapy, cutting-edge "anti-modi" biologics, and DIY treatment protocols shared through global networks has dramatically improved outcomes for many rare disorders. Embryo screening and genetic modification have reduced the incidence of some genetic conditions, while adults seek proactive genetic alterations to prevent late-onset rare diseases. However, this rapid progress also intensifies debates about healthcare equity and access to experimental treatments, with rare disease advocates pushing for faster approval processes and increased funding for ultra-rare condition research. The rare disease community's embrace of biohacking technologies and personalized medicine approaches is not only transforming patient care but also influencing broader discussions about the future of human health and enhancement.
One of the most celebrated breakthroughs of 2029 comes in the field of environmental health. Researchers finally demonstrate the effective delivery of enzymes capable of permanently decreasing ambient levels of "forever chemicals" and PFAS in humans. The biohacker community quickly adopts this intervention, and Honduras, leveraging its expertise in delivery technology, becomes the epicenter for companies developing these treatments.
Biohacking in 5 years, has taken on a life of its own - pushing science, geographies, entrenched healthcare systems and society at large. Many diseases previous thought of as incurable are on their way to disease modifying or cures. This is due to the confluence of better editing and delivery technology, but more saliently, improved understanding around disease mechanisms of action. The pathway to cure most diseases has expanded societal ambitions and dreams, catalyzing a new renaissance across arts, literature, sports, and work. While there’s a long way still to go, the exponential growth and sheer momentum of the biohacking movement are here to stay and push our thinking and ambitions around what it means to be human after all.
Thank you for reading Compound's exploration of the future of biohacking. A core part of Compound's ethos is extrapolating technology and trends to their end-state. From the end-state we can start to map technological progress and distributions and from that comes additional context to our investment theses.
We chose biohacking to explore as it's an intersectional lens through which to view all of biotechnology and uniquely cuts across technological use-cases in culture and society in the near-future. We deliberately wrote towards the most ambitious futures in the next five years in the hopes that we would push the envelope and spark creativity in those reading. We hope you enjoyed tuning into the future.
