Morphine

Though a new generation of genetically engineered microbes is raising fears about home-brew heroin, a technology de-coupled from the whims of growing seasons could also mean cheaper, legal drugs.

We were young misfits in 1980s San Francisco, taking care of our friend, who was dying, and waiting for our own diagnoses. We were doing, selling, stealing drugs, staying as high we could. Looking back, I cringe. Yet we did the best we could.

Genetically engineered yeast will soon be able to make morphine from sugar. Tech policy experts fear a generation of Walter Whites.