Lepht Anonym is a biohacker currently based in Birmingham, UK, working with implants to extend the body’s sensory input among other pursuits. Lepht was around for the beginning of the biohacking movement itself, and has seen it grow and change over more than ten years. Thought to be one of the first biohackers, or at least the most notorious, Lepht’s experiments with implanted technology in a DIY fashion using homemade devices and self-taught skills have led to them becoming a strange underground figure.

Biohacking itself is the underground practice of functional body modification, with the intention of augmenting the human body or experience. It is rooted in transhumanist ideas about self-determination and self-improvement using technology. Biohacking can involve potentially illegal activities depending on what country you are in, which laws apply about self-surgery, what counts as “surgery” and “medical practice”, et cetera. The community of biohackers is quite niche but is starting to gain more recognition by the media, and also by parts of the medical and scientific community. Some see it as a real attempt to bring the philosophy of transhumanism into the real world: a chance to improve the human condition. Others see this kind of activity as unethical and dangerous. Lepht thinks both opinions have some merit in debate and is always willing to talk about them. They love science, transhumanism, hacking, futurism, body modification and cybernetics, and are honoured to be at BDYHAX 19.