---
title: "This Harvard Prof Is Listing Genes That Could Make You Superhuman"
description: "Harvard geneticist George Church has assembled a database of genetic mutations that could give people superhuman-like capabilities or medical benefits."
date: "2019-06-12"
modified: "2019-06-12"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/harvard-list-genes-superhuman"
categories:
  - "Genetics"
  - "Health & Medicine"
  - "Prosthetics and Devices"
tags:
  - "gene hacking"
  - "genetics"
  - "medicine"
  - "the digest"
---

# This Harvard Prof Is Listing Genes That Could Make You Superhuman

![Harvard geneticist George Church has assembled a database of genetic mutations that could give people superhuman-like capabilities or medical benefits.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/harvard-list-genes-superhuman.png>)
*\<em\>Image: Victor Tangermann\</em\>*

## Avengers Initiative

Harvard geneticist George Church, famous for his plan to [resurrect the woolly mammoth](<https://futurism.com/4-we-could-see-woolly-mammoths-resurrected-within-two-years>), has been assembling a list of genetic mutations and alterations that could give people longer lives and superhuman powers.

The [spreadsheet](<http://arep.med.harvard.edu/gmc/protect.html>), which reads like a mad scientist's field notes, lists the known pros and cons of each gene. For instance, a specific mutation to the *LRP5* gene would give you extra-strong bones — but also make you less buoyant in water. Other edits could give subjects resistance to radiation or incredible skills at holding their breath underwater.

All in all, the spreadsheet serves as a glimpse into the sort of changes we may expect once [human gene-hacking](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/scientists-condemn-crispr-baby-experiment>) becomes safer and more common.

## Skill Tree

Church hasn't responded to Futurism's request for comment, so it's unclear whether the database serves as a reference for his research or if it was more of a tongue-in-cheek side project.

Very few of the genotypes have drawbacks listed, illustrating how little is still known about various genes. But Church noted in the spreadsheet that some could cause serious medical problems.

Disabling someone's *PCSK9* gene would reduce their chances of coronary disease, for instance — but increase the risk of developing diabetes and cognitive impairments. Knocking out the *CCR5* gene, as the infamous [Chinese scientist He Jiankui did](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/gene-hacked-baby-birth>) in now-living human girls, could increase resistance to HIV but increase susceptibility to West Nile Virus.

It remains unclear whether people will ever pursue these extreme gene-hacks for themselves or others. In the meantime, though, we can peruse this new catalog of upgrades.

**READ MORE:** [Protective Alleles](<http://arep.med.harvard.edu/gmc/protect.html>) \[Harvard\]

**More on George Church:** *[De-Aging Doggo: Harvard Startup Wants to Give Goodest Dogs Longer Lives](<https://futurism.com/neoscope/startup-reverse-aging-dogs-humans>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)