Unit 6 Biotech + Art

Biotech + Art 

After going through these lectures, as well as doing my own research, I have came to the conclusion that the combination of both Biotech and Art do create a very complex medium. As professor Vesna stated early on in this week's lectures; bio technology, genetics and technology artists have began to work directly with biologists and neurologists. The concept that made me come with the conclusion that Biotech and Art are a complex medium is that issue of ethical issues around the modifications and experimentation on living beings.

The idea and concept of animal testing is what stood out to me the most out of this weeks material. I believe this might of stood out more possibly because it is a more relevant topic in todays time. Through social media you consistently see images and videos that highlight the issues of animal treatment (PETA). The ideas in this weeks material only highlighted the issue even more to me.
It all started with Joe Davis's experimentation on a albino bunny, the experiment used transgenic art using genetic engineering. He utilized florescent jellyfish DNA/genes to make the albino bunny glow. This was an ethical issue because there now became an argument on the idea of where is the boundary between the respect of a living thing or a person's art? This same strategy was done by Osamu Shimomura where he instilled the same genes within a mouse. These are not the only experiments used on animals, concepts like these are used everyday when it comes to chemical testing, testings substances like shampoos and hygiene products. Also the issues of animals being bulked up to an unhealthy size and fed steroid like food for their meet is something commonly seen.
There must be a boundary installed as far as respect for a living being's livelihood goes. At a certain point a persons selfish desires need to be stopped when it comes at an expense of another life. I understand we must move forward with ideas and discoveries, but the idea of being ethical should always remain.





Sources
Mac, Eduardo. "GFP Bunny." GFP BUNNY. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2017.

Society, New England Anti-Vivisection. "Animals in Science / Research." Harm and Suffering. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2017.

"The Chicken Industry." PETA. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2017.

Tmichellebufkin, /. "The Truth about “Hormone Free” Chickens." The Truth About Agriculture. N.p., 16 Dec. 2016. Web. 15 May 2017.

UCtelevision. "Animal Biotechnology." YouTube. YouTube, 25 July 2008. Web. 15 May 2017.

Comments

  1. Pui Ieng LeiMay 15, 2017 at 5:36 PM

    I am interested in the animal issues part too. You made a very good point about the boundary between a life and a risky experiment. The fact is the very often nothing could replace the animal in an biotech experiment. In my view, I think that reasonable sacrifices are inevitable for the development of biotechnology, but it is important for scientists and artists to be thoughtful and responsible to their controversial acts.

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