They say the system is perfect, but perfection always comes at a cost. I should know—I helped build it. In the 22nd century, health isn’t just a right, a privilege, or even a commodity. It’s currency. Every breath, every heartbeat, every productive hour has a price tag.

A Revolution Beneath the Surface In the quiet corners of fermenters and bioreactors, a revolution unfolds. It doesn’t grab headlines like rocket launches or AI breakthroughs, but its implications may ripple just as far. Biomanufacturing—the use of biological systems to produce materials, medicines, and energy—is reshaping how we live, how we work, and how we sustain ourselves.

Hi my friends, I’m going to be exploring sci-fi short stories more regularly on Fridays. This may be less consistent than my regular Tuesday editions, but we’ll see how it evolves. This is an experiment, motivated by positive feedback I received about The Printing Press.

TL;DR: Anticipating Biological Risk and the Impact of AI Biological risks, whether from intentional misuse or accidental release, are a growing concern in an age where AI and biotechnology intersect.

Good morning, Today is the first Friday of 2025. I spent the New Year’s holiday in a backcountry hut with friends and family, reflecting on 2024 and what I’m hoping for in 2025. One of the things I’m most excited about in 2025 is to explore this intersection of technology and humanity more through the lens of science fiction. I hope you’ll indulge me for an extra TCIP edition this week to share.

TL;DR: Engineering Biology and Public Trust Engineering biology holds immense potential to transform society, addressing critical challenges in healthcare, sustainability, and industry.

Artificial intelligence has become the central nervous system of our era, quietly weaving itself into the fabric of our daily lives. A recent House report makes recommendations for our future.

The Map Is Not the Territory Artificial intelligence has often been described as a new frontier—a vast, uncharted space promising unparalleled opportunity but fraught with hidden risks. Recently, the inaugural convening of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes (INASI) in San Francisco laid down a global compass for navigating this terrain.

The Ancient Roots of Agricultural Innovation Agriculture is undergoing a revolution, one shaped by the transformative power of biotechnology. This field, at the intersection of science, policy, and industry, promises to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Gene drives—a concept that might sound like something from science fiction—could reshape the way we address some of the world's most pressing challenges. Picture a future where we can eradicate devastating diseases, better protect our crops, and control invasive species. This technology holds the power to turn these visions into reality. However, with such transformative potential come significant risks and ethical questions.

Imagine standing on the shores of Prince William Sound, Alaska, where the Exxon Valdez oil spill once unleashed 11 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean. The waves crash gently against the rocky beach, but beneath the surface, a quieter revolution is happening. Microbes — some engineered, some naturally adapted — are cleaning up what humans couldn’t. This is bioremediation in action, where biotechnology meets environmental stewardship.