Week 6: BioTech + Art

I have found that bio art is one of the more interesting topics we have discussed so far this quarter. Biotech is such an important field that effects our lives on a daily basis. Before this week, I would have never considered biotech to be art. However, that has definitely changed because there are many instances that prove how art and biotech intersect. For example, Alba, a rabbit created by Eduardo Kac, had been genetically modified to glow a fluorescent green color. This takes immense skill on the scientific side of things because you are literally modifying things on a cellular level, but it also is an artistic representation of what people can do to make living things art. 

Alba the glowing rabbit


Using biology as a canvas to express yourself artistically doesn't just stop at fluorescent bunnies. They are also able to use biotech to modify foods, humans, and other animals. The possibilities are endless, which also brings into question whether everything they are doing is ethical. Professor Vesna warned us that this topic is often very controversial, and I can see why. The movie I watched in the watch party this week was called GATTACA. This movie talks about the real life issues with genetically modifying babies before they are born. Should parents be allowed to choose what traits their child will have? That is a question that many people are conflicted on. On one hand, you are able to choose an embryo that has a low chance of getting diseases and issues. On the other hand, that means parents are able to create perfect "designer" babies. This is an issue i'm sure will continue to be debated as we come closer to having the technology to actually do this. 

Manually putting sperm in egg

After looking at all the information this week, it is clear that there should be limits in place to modify living things for artistic creativity. Personally, I think it is very situational, and it really depends on if the thing you are modifying will be harmed or will harm others as a result of your doing. This is a very complex issue, and I look forward to seeing where the technology takes us in my lifetime. 

GMO foods can be good



Sources / References

“Gattaca.” Vimeo, 7 June 2020, vimeo.com/419761265.

“GMO Tomatoes.” ABC News, s.abcnews.com/images/Health/ht_tomato_progression_2_sr_140425_4x3_992.jpg.

Murdock, Andy. "How Glow-In-the-Dark Jellyfish Inspired a Scientific Revolution." University of California, 24 Apr. 2020. Web. https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/how-basic-research-jellyfish-led-unexpected-scientific-revolution

Philipkoski, Kristen. “RIP: Alba, the Glowing Bunny.” Wired, Wired, 12 Aug. 2002, www.wired.com/2002/08/rip-alba-the-glowing-bunny/. 

“Sperm in Egg.” Jetanin, 2020, jetanin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/5.IMSI_-1-0001-1024x715.jpg.

Vesna, Victoria, director. 5 Bioart pt1 1280x720. YouTube, YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=190&v=PaThVnA1kyg&feature=emb_logo.

Vesna, Victoria, director. 5 BioArt pt2. YouTube, YouTube, 17 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdSt-Hjyi2I&list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&t=2s. 

Vesna, Victoria, director. Biotech Intro NEW. YouTube, YouTube, 26 Mar. 2012,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvp924_pbgc.

Comments

  1. Yuliana Garcia (desma 9)May 9, 2021 at 6:29 PM

    Overall, I enjoyed your blog, particularly your perspective on how your perspective on the importance of art in biotech is changing. I have had a paradigm shift in thinking about how art can affect biotech and how the two can combine to construct a portrayal of cell manipulation through art language. I found it fascinating how sound can have an effect on people. Vesna discusses in her lecture how an artist used jazz music to create a response to what is going on inside our bodies. Another example that altered my perspective on the relationship between art and biotechnology. Before taking this class, I had never taken the time to fully grasp this idea.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Veronica Verma_DESMA9May 9, 2021 at 11:50 PM

    I agree with your take on how biotech can allow us to be more artistically expressive. However, as you said, there are also many possible downsides to modifying living organisms because of the ethical concerns that may come up. It does seem that the use of biotech would have to be more situational or subjective in the future. Overall I am excited to see the growth of this technology.

    ReplyDelete

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