BioTech+Art

The field of biotechnology has really contributed to the collaboration and integration of artists and scientists.  Through the manipulation of living organisms and their genomes, scientists and artists both contribute towards a greater understanding of humans and the world around us. It is arguable, however, that scientists use biotechnology to help advance current human conditions while artists use it as an expressive medium of their artwork. But I believe we can learn a lot from an artists’ interpretation of biotechnology.

An artist that really captured my attention was Eduardo Kac, a transgenic artist who implants the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene into a rabbit. He uses Alba not as a genetic object, but instead as a social object. If one had no prior knowledge that it was GFB bunny, then they would not be able to the tell difference under most lighting. The inter-species social communication should not be affected and the rabbit should experience treatment similar to that of any other rabbit. The project highlights the fact that he was not trying to make the bunny meet specific requirements, but rather to have her be accepted with her genetic difference.

                                                      

If we begin by looking at the technologies that go into the genetic manipulation of transgenic organisms, we should also see how these can be applied to human genomes. Artist Adam Zaretsky addresses the advances in human recombinant possibilities through the Human Germline Gene Therapy. This therapy isolates and alters the offending gene, then introduces it into the embryo before it has differentiated.  This alteration is permanent and capable in effecting subsequent generations. However, the manipulation of the human germline in inducing genetic changes to possibly stop lethal birth defects or diseases creates an ethical problem. It allows human the potential to create a “perfect” species in regards to aesthetics. Yet, what traits or qualities are considered aesthetically superior to another? I believe this is the limit to human creativity as we simply cannot determine what aesthetics is better as no individual is better than another.

                            

Works Cited

Clark, Josh. “Bottlenecks Made Humans Less Diverse.” Discovery News. 23 Oct 2009. Image. 10 Nov 2013. <http://news.discovery.com/human/genetics/human-diversity-bottlenecks.htm>

Kac, Eduardo. “GFP Bunny.” Kac. 2000. Web. 10 Nov 2013. <http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html>

Kac, Eduardo. “GFP Bunny.” Kac. 2000. Image. 10 Nov 2013. <http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html>

“The Stem Cell Debate: Is It Over?” Learn.Genetics. The University of Utah. Image. 10 Nov 2013. <http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/stemcells/scissues/>

Zaretsky, Adam. “The Art of Germline Mutagenesis.” Emutagen. Web. 10 Nov 2013. <http://emutagen.com/germline.html>

Vesna, Victoria. “BioTech Art Lectures I-V.” YouTube. Web. 10 Nov 2013.