Week 4: BioTech + Art

               Based on the lectures, there seems to be a large amount of controversy associated with bioart. In particular, genetic engineering poses a huge dilemma on whether tampering with life’s code is being taken too far.

               When looking at an artist such as Eduardo Kac, there is some legitimacy to the claims that his fluorescent bunny does not serve much purpose. Although he tries to validate his art by saying how it creates a dialogue between professionals and the public on genetic engineering^[1], the work still borders on being unethical since he did it just for the sake of art without much consideration for the bunny’s well-being. Moreover, the idea was not anything new since Japanese researchers did the same process for lab rats several years earlier^[1]. If anything, this work makes it seem acceptable for the public to use transgenic art on other pets and animals.

A picture of Eduardo Kac and his "GFP" bunny Alba[1]. 

               Kac is not the only offender of using genetic engineering to create controversy. Many big corporations are putting genetically modified organisms in their crops, which are starting to show its negative effects in recent years. In fact, studies show that there are already 18 million Americans who suffer from gluten insensitivity due to wheat hybridization and GMOs^[2]. When greed and selfishness enter into biology, the outcomes can be harmful to many people. The well-being of others is not worth the cost of a genetically modified piece of corn.

A cartoon illustrating the unnatural effects of GMOs in food[2].

               Conversely, there are those who are actually making a positive impact through bioart and bioengineering. Artist Kathy High took retired lab breeder rats in an effort to make them feel healthy again by playing with them, feeding them, and cleaning them^[3][4]. Her use of empathy for the rats makes her art seem much more altruistic compared to that of Kac. This is the type of bioart that many artists should aspire to: one that can be beneficial to someone or something.

              

Photographs of the breeder rats (left and right) and the facility used to take care of them (center)[3].

               Furthermore, a positive display of bioengineering comes from Anthony Atala’s group that grows human organs by using cells in the person’s body^[5]. These intricate structures are almost like art pieces because they are carefully designed and crafted with technology. On the other hand, their work is also helping and saving lives in the process. Overall, this group is using the power of bioengineering to do some actual good in the world. The only controversial part about their studies is that there are not enough of them around.

A picture of a bladder structure being coated with cells[4].

               In order to end controversy, one simple remedy might be to use bioart and bioengineering in a way that can be helpful to either humans or nature. This is the reason why the latter examples of High and Atala are surrounded with little to no controversy. They are the artists and scientists who understand that life in art and science must be done with a lot of care and consideration. 

Sources:

1. Vesna, Victoria. "Biotechnology Part 1." YouTube. uconlineprogram, 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 13 July 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg>.

2. Sarich, Cristina. "18 Million Americans Suffer from GMO and Gluten Intolerance." Natural Society. Natural Society, 8 July 2014. Web. 13 July 2016. <http://naturalsociety.com/18-million-americans-suffer-gmo-gluten-intolerance/>.

3. High, Kathy. "Rat Care Manual." Embracing Animal. N.d. Web. 13 July 2016. <http://www.embracinganimal.com/ratcare.html>.

4.  Vesna, Victoria. "Biotechnology Part 3." YouTube. uconlineprogram, 17 May. 2012. Web. 13 July 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EpD3np1S2g>.

5. Atala, Anthony. "Anthony Atala: Growing New Organs." TEDMED. TED. TEDMED, Oct. 2009. Web. 13 July 2016. <https://www.ted.com/talks/anthony_atala_growing_organs_engineering_tissue#t-6010>.

6. Pollan, Michael. "POV | Food, Inc. | Interview with Michael Pollan | PBS." Interview. YouTube. PBS, 16 Apr. 2010. Web. 13 July 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ty0eehT8Y4>.

Images:

1. Alba. N.d. Potopov. By Potopov. 5 Nov. 2015. Web. 13 July 2016. <http://potopov.com/blog/index.php?tag/references>.

2. "Best to Avoid GMO's and Go Organic..." Pinterest. Pinterest, n.d. Web. 13 July 2016. <https://www.pinterest.com/peace4meman/hell-no-gmos-and-all-that-other-nastiness/>.

3. Embracing Animal. N.d. Kathy High. By Kathy High. Web. 13 July 2016. <http://kathyhigh.com/project-embracing-animal.html>.

4. Anthony Atala: Growing New Organs. N.d. TED. By Anthony Atala. TEDMED, Oct. 2009. Web. 13 July 2016. <https://www.ted.com/talks/anthony_atala_growing_organs_engineering_tissue#t-6010>.