I was very interested in this weeks topic, the relationship of biotechnology and art, because of it’s relevance to the ethical, social, and political issues of today. While watching this week’s lecture (1), I learned that biotechnology is when scientists use technology to manipulate biological components like genetics, organisms, and cells.
One important aspect of art is the ability to ‘create’, and biotechnology has allowed peoples creations to physically alter humans and animals. When going through this weeks ideas, I struggled with the idea that life itself is a valid expressive medium for one’s artistic endeavors. With the growth of technology, there have not been many regulations on using biotechnology. In my opinion, some people abuse biotechnology with the excuse that it is art. For example, I think that Eduardo Kac’s GFP Bunny (2) that was genetically engineered to glow under certain light is cruel. I believe that it is unfair to manipulate the genes and well-being of an animal unable to give its consent in the name of creating art.
Also, the use of genetic engineering on animals affects us when we eat the animals in “Genetically Modified Food”(3), otherwise known as ‘GMO’s”. This is shown by the Mcdonald’s Food Experiment (4). Although genetically engineering animals to produce more food, it negatively affects the product that we ingest in our bodies. I think that if this continues, over time humans will start developing more and more health issues.
Although I understand and appreciate the importance the progress scientists are making to create positive affects on society, I think it must be regulated much more strictly in order to avoid the harmful possibilities that arise (5) from biotechnology and art.
Works Cited:
1.Vesna, Victoria, narr. “BioTech Art Lectures I-V.” N.p., . web. 5 Nov 2012.
2."GFP BUNNY." GFP BUNNY. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2015.
3."Genetically Modified Food." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 May 2015.
4."McDonald's Food Expirament." YouTube. YouTube, 12 June 2007. Web. 10 May 2015.
5.Anderson, Helen. "Biotechnology and Negative Effects on the Environment." EHow. Demand Media, 08 Apr. 2011. Web. 10 May 2015.
Images
1.C11 Biotech Research. Digital image. Http://venturecenter.co.in/brc/images/top12.jpg. N.p., n.d. Web.
2.Hopping out Glowing Green Bunnies for Science. Http://hotdigitalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bunglow.jpg Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.
3.Russian Prime Minister Bans GMO. Digital image. Http://russia-insider.com/sites/insider/files/GMO-sm1.jpg. N.p., n.d. Web.
The way you connected the McDonalds Food Experiment into all this was very meaningful. The anti GMO movement has drastically increased in the past couple of months with major food chains like Chipotle going completely GMO free in order to better serve their clients. I think there is a very fine line between the self expression of an artist and the overall wellbeing of a society when dealing with genetics, organisms and cells.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your ideas about how genetically modifying and testing on live animals is a cruel and inhumane action. The GFP bunnies are being tortured because they cannot live in normal circumstances, but that is not their fault. I agree with finding new discoveries and advancing our knowledge in today's society, but I do not think we should give up our morals and humanity when in the path to this discovery. Genetically modifying living things and even fruits and vegetables is a dangerous thing, a new discovery, but something that should not be done. There have been studies done that genetically modified foods can actually cause us cancer if we eat them.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well with your ideas, as well as the other comments on your blog post from this week. I wonder where the line of us being happy with the end product, but being angry with the procedure of how that product came about. That line of mud waters where it becomes art or where it becomes cruel is tough to say. I think it would be helpful to find some way to regulate it, but I am not sure how that would really be done.
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