THE PLAYLIST – May 4, 2022 – “’Make People Better’ Review: A Fascinating Look At The Ethics Surrounding Human Genome Modification [Hot Docs]” by Christian Gallichio

‘Make People Better’ Review: A Fascinating Look At The Ethics Surrounding Human Genome Modification [Hot Docs]

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REALSCREEN – May 5, 2022 – “Hot Docs ’22: “Make People Better” explores gene editing and ethics of ‘designer babies’” by Justin Anderson

https://realscreen.com/2022/05/05/hot-docs-22-make-people-better-explores-gene-editing-and-ethics-of-designer-babies/

Gleaming skyscrapers reflect the neon lights of a bustling metropolis. A rogue genetic scientist is said to be performing unethical and possibly illegal experiments on human subjects. Shadowy figures who might work for a powerful government — or an even more powerful corporation — close in on their prey hiding in an anonymous hotel. It sounds like the stuff of a globe-trotting cyberpunk thriller, but it’s actually the new documentary Make People Better, from filmmaker Cody Sheehy.

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IMDB – May 4, 2022 – “’Make People Better’ Review: A Fascinating Look At The Ethics Surrounding Human Genome Modification [Hot Docs]” by Christian Gallichio

https://www.imdb.com/news/ni63617252

*Pick up from The Playlist

Exploring the contentious debate surrounding germline editing within human embryos, Cody Sheehy’s documentary “Make People Better” is, like its subject, a complicated dive into the practicalities and ethics of genetic modification. Using the story of Dr. He Jiankui, a Chinese scientist who created the first genetically edited babies — Lulu and Nana — in late 2018, as a guiding framework, Sheehy’s film is perhaps too wonky in its delivery, but its subject matter nevertheless makes for a fascinating dive into the ethical quandaries around human genetic modification, even if it is a bit one-sided in the end.

Industry Buzz is building for the Make People Better documentary. See what they are saying.

THE TORONTO STAR – April 25, 2022 – “12 films that are good bets at Hot Docs 2022” by Peter Howell

Imagine if you could tinker with human embryos so that babies could be born with superstrong bones or muscles that needed less exercise to grow. Such speculative science came closer to reality in 2018, when Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui announced he’d created the world’s first gene-edited babies, twin girls known only as Lulu and Nana. But what is applauded as progress in science fiction was greeted in real life with considerable alarm expressed by medical ethicists, who fretted about “rogue” research, and by Chinese government officials, who wanted the story controlled and ultimately hushed. Cody Sheehy’s pulse-raising doc explores the many sides of this hot-button issue, with testimonials from medical experts and also the crusading journalist who broke the story. Sheehy also gains access to previously unseen interviews with Dr. He, a man who claims he only wanted to do what title says: make people better.

https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/opinion/2022/04/25/12-films-that-are-good-bets-at-hot-docs-2022.html

REAL SCREEN – March 22, 2022 – Hot Docs ’22: 11 films added to Special Presentations slate By Andrew Jeffrey

Make People Better, a documentary from filmmaker Cody Sheehy, will now make its world premiere at this year’s Hot Docs. The doc covers the investigation into a rogue Chinese biophysicist’s disappearance after developing the first designer babies.

https://realscreen.com/2022/03/22/hot-docs-22-11-films-added-to-special-presentations-slate/

MOVIE PIE – April 19, 2022 – “Hot Docs 2022: #1: 10 Films We’re Psyched to see!” by Vickie Reichardt

Make People Better

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love docs that make me feel like I get a teeny bit smarter just for having watched. And I’m hoping this thriller about genome-edited embryos proves to be a fascinating and informative successor to one of my brain-food faves from Hot Docs 2019: Human Nature.

https://moviepie.com/hot-docs-2022-1-10-films-were-psyched-to-see/