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Hacking Humanity: How technology can save your health and your life
Brought to you by Penguin.
What if we could stop cancer in its tracks, prevent cardiovascular disease, lose weight at will and reverse the effects of ageing? With new developments in artificial intelligence, gene editing and robotics, it might all be possible sooner than you think.
In Hacking Humanity, technology journalist Lara Lewington takes us to the cutting edge of scientific research to demystify how new innovations are transforming medicine for the better. Drawing us into the science behind the world’s healthiest people from Silicon Valley to the Blue Zones while experimenting with the new technology already available, she examines the real challenges ahead and how we can overcome them. From new miracle drugs to life-saving robotic assistants and diagnostic tools that help us avoid disease altogether, today’s most exciting innovations are paving the way for tomorrow’s healthcare revolution, extending not only our lifespans but also our healthspans – the amount of time we spend living in good health.
With expert insights and clear explanations, Hacking Humanity reveals how we can harness the power of technology to improve our lives now and transform our healthcare system for a better future, unlocking the power to reshape our genetic destinies and live longer and healthier lives.
Lara Lewington 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
What if we could stop cancer in its tracks, prevent cardiovascular disease, lose weight at will and reverse the effects of ageing? With new developments in artificial intelligence, gene editing and robotics, it might all be possible sooner than you think.
In Hacking Humanity, technology journalist Lara Lewington takes us to the cutting edge of scientific research to demystify how new innovations are transforming medicine for the better. Drawing us into the science behind the world’s healthiest people from Silicon Valley to the Blue Zones while experimenting with the new technology already available, she examines the real challenges ahead and how we can overcome them. From new miracle drugs to life-saving robotic assistants and diagnostic tools that help us avoid disease altogether, today’s most exciting innovations are paving the way for tomorrow’s healthcare revolution, extending not only our lifespans but also our healthspans – the amount of time we spend living in good health.
With expert insights and clear explanations, Hacking Humanity reveals how we can harness the power of technology to improve our lives now and transform our healthcare system for a better future, unlocking the power to reshape our genetic destinies and live longer and healthier lives.
Lara Lewington 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
Audible Audio
Published July 10, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 19, 2025
This was a well-researched and very interesting book about the current and future healthcare scene, mainly in the UK and US but also to some extent globally.
I appreciated particularly how there were many first-hand interviews, showing that Lewington done her homework. The wide range of interviewees was good too, from professionals in a variety of fields to patients and people with the ‘layman’s’ viewpoint.
I felt that the second half of the book was better than the first, as it covered what advancements are being made with different areas such as genetics and brain ageing. The first part of the book covered the current wearables and suchlike that you can use to track your own health in the here and now. It was OK but didn’t give me too much information that I didn’t already know and I did find the constant reminder that we need to collect everyone’s data (though I understand why and don’t disagree if it’s anonymised, to really wear on me after a while.
Anyone interested in what healthcare looks like now and in the future would benefit from reading this.
I appreciated particularly how there were many first-hand interviews, showing that Lewington done her homework. The wide range of interviewees was good too, from professionals in a variety of fields to patients and people with the ‘layman’s’ viewpoint.
I felt that the second half of the book was better than the first, as it covered what advancements are being made with different areas such as genetics and brain ageing. The first part of the book covered the current wearables and suchlike that you can use to track your own health in the here and now. It was OK but didn’t give me too much information that I didn’t already know and I did find the constant reminder that we need to collect everyone’s data (though I understand why and don’t disagree if it’s anonymised, to really wear on me after a while.
Anyone interested in what healthcare looks like now and in the future would benefit from reading this.
August 17, 2025
Interesting book on how technology and science can ensure lifespan will truly be health span.
So much is possible, and things that seem(ed) science fiction are reality in some places and will be mainstream soon.
That obviously raises questions, how far do we want to go, what to do with all the data, how can health care systems prepare for this, how does this reach everyone, what is the role of each and every one of us.
The role of each individual is large, with all that is technologically possible, the biggest impact remain our individual lifestyles options. Any technology that helps us implement lifestyle choices in a seamless way will be invaluable to ensure we can get additional years of sufficient quality.
No 5 stars since the structure as a sum up of many things did not captivate me as much as some others I have read.
So much is possible, and things that seem(ed) science fiction are reality in some places and will be mainstream soon.
That obviously raises questions, how far do we want to go, what to do with all the data, how can health care systems prepare for this, how does this reach everyone, what is the role of each and every one of us.
The role of each individual is large, with all that is technologically possible, the biggest impact remain our individual lifestyles options. Any technology that helps us implement lifestyle choices in a seamless way will be invaluable to ensure we can get additional years of sufficient quality.
No 5 stars since the structure as a sum up of many things did not captivate me as much as some others I have read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews