BioTech + Art-BioTechnology
:Described as an artists using or working with cells directly or having a collaboration with scientists.
Genetic Modification
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| Courtesy of University of Missouri. Photograph: Rex Features |
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| Courtesy of YouTube: Leoapp1223 |
These animals have been genetically modified with the jelly fish genes that allow them to have glowing properties (genes). The Rabbit, which was discussed in the lecture is called GFP Bunny, who was inserted with a florescent gene while the bunny was a fertilized cell and it led to the "glowing bunny" seen above.
Osamu Shimomura,who won the Nobel Prize, "is the first person to isolate and characterize green fluorescent protein (GFP), from jelly fish" (Part 1, Week 6 Lecture).
Although this is a huge scientific achievement it is very disturbing and crew to these animals. Genetic modification should not be practice as an art for or for fun--especially on animals. They should be treated just like humans and they shouldn't be projects for scientists or artists to test on.
This film, Gattaca, is an example of genetic modification and what can happen in a modern day society. People could have the ability to choose how smart they are, what they should look like, and how to control people...it is a scary concept to think about but if scientists continue to mess with genetic modification and engineering something like this could possibly happen.
Artistic Side
Genetic modification isn't all bad and harmful...many artists are transitioning out of the studio and into laboratories to work with living cells. Many artists are looking and working with tissues to create contemporary and beautiful art work. Here is an article that goes into more detail about Biotech Art: http://www.artnews.com/2013/03/18/biotechnology-as-art-form/
References:
Leoapp1223. "Deformed, Mutated, Genetically Modified Animals Part 1!" YouTube. YouTube, 2008. Web. 08 May 2016.
McKie, Robin. "Genetic Modification: Glow-in-the-dark Lifesavers or
vMiranda, Carolina. "Weird Science: Biotechnology as Art Form." ARTnews. 18 Mar. 13. Web. 08 May 2016. <http://www.artnews.com/2013/03/18/biotechnology-as-art-form/>.
Mutant Freaks?" The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 2010. Web. 08 May 2016.
Sonypictureshomeent. "Gattaca - Trailer." YouTube. YouTube, 2014. Web. 08 May 2016.
Vesna, Victoria. "BioTech Art Lecture: Part 1." 8 May 2016. Lecture.
Wow, I liked how you included the article on how artists are transitioning from the studio to the laboratory to create contemporary art through biotechnology. I felt this was completely the opposite of what I originally had in mind; I thought that it was the interpretation of scientific progress as something artistic. However, the article you included allowed me to realize that artists can find expression of their art through different biotech procedures. Not to slander Prof. Vesna or any of the sources that were given, but I felt like the article you included was the most eye-opening piece of writing that I've read to do with biotechnology and art. Great post, thanks Ryann
ReplyDeleteHey Ryann, I really enjoyed this response to the topic that it isn't okay for genetic modification to be experimented on animals because they need to be treated just like humans, I see where you're coming from and respect your opinion. I also enjoyed how you brought in the article with artist moving from the studio to laboratory, it was very interesting to read about it in that perspective.
ReplyDeleteRyann I really enjoyed your discussion on genetic modification. This area is particularly interesting to me and all of the application of this should outweigh the controversy. There are so many problems that can be solved or at least lessened via genetic interference and we need to take into account our opportunity costs when it comes to experimenting on animals, it isn't so cut and dry.
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