Unit 6 - BioTech + Art

This week's topic relates to biotech and art. There are different definitions for biotech art amongst people; some believe it's actually working at the cellular level while others believe it's working with scientific images produced in labs. Regardless, this art form is one of the most controversial.

“Communicating with Aliens through DNA.” by Christina Agapakis.

Joe Davis was the pioneer of bio art and created many works. One project tasked him to basically implant genetically engineered human intelligence (the MicroVenus) into E.Coli bacteria and send them into space. I thought this art project was really interesting because it seemed more scientifically driven. He wanted to try to connect to intelligent life beyond our own. Artists like Davis then began to emerge like Eduardo Kac. Kac has a transgenic art-piece called “Alba” which is an albino bunny with the genes of a jellyfish to allow it to glow. Activists say it's animal abuse while scientists say it's interesting, but silly. Kac argue that his work brings up points out a division between biotech and art, but was it really necessary for him to perform a zygote injection for something like that?

 “Eduardo Kac: Biological Art.” by Digital Arti News.

I have nothing against genetic modification. I actually support genetically modified foods. I had to do hours of research and write an ethics paper on the topic. Most of the foods eaten nowadays are genetically modified too. It's a movement for future efficiency. Even foods that are not genetically modified are modified through specific breeding methods which is similar to genetic modification. Genetic modification of living organisms is a more delicate subject. There are many benefits like longer life, but with potential consequences like mutations. This topic, however, will depend on how society views genetics in the future as technology advances. But these are scientific endeavors to further benefit society and not something scientists are doing because they can. Thus, art shouldn't use genetic modification as a basis because there is no positive contribution to society to enhance the way of life directly.

“Genetically Modified Foods: Pros and Cons.” by Gabe Henderson.

“Top 10 Genetically Modified Foods.” by Freda.

Biotech does have some appealing art though. For example, Kathy High has a Vampire Study Group which involves blood wars and a project called Rat Laughter which observes if rats can emit happiness through sound. Overall, I guess that's the art of biotech art. It's entirely subjective to our own opinions and the moral conflict that stems from our views and debates can lead to collaboration between people to understand one another... or I'm just over-analyzing.

Yours truly,

Calvin Cam

Works Cited

Agapakis, Christina. “Communicating with Aliens through DNA.” Oscillator. Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/oscillator/2012/08/18/dna-code/>.

“Eduardo Kac: Biological Art.” Digital Arti. 4 Apr. 2011. Web. 10 Nov. 2013 <http://www.digitalarti.com/blog/digitalarti_mag/eduardo_kac_biological_art>.

Freda. “Top 10 Genetically Modified Foods.” 23 Sept. 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2013 <http://defyingagewithfood.com/top-10-genetically-modified-foods/>.

Henderson, Gabe. “Genetically Modified Foods: Pros and Cons.” 15 Apr. 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013 <http://gabehenderson.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/genetically-modified-foods-pros-and-cons/>.

Kelty, Chris. “Meanings of Participation: Outlaw Biology?”. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <https://cole.uconline.edu/content>.

Vesna, Victoria. “5 bioart pt1 1280x720.” Cole UC online. Youtube, 18 Sept. 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg>.