Week 6: Biotech and Art

I believe that life can be a valid expressive medium, open many different avenues for conversations regarding different parts of society. From the first video lecture, I found Eduardo Katz very interesting because of the different results that came from using the GFP bunny as artworks, bringing up conversation around appreciation of life, and social normalcy. 

Eduardo Katz GFP Bunny

This also brings up dialogue between disciplines as Professor Vesna mentioned. Inherent in using transgenics, mutilations, recombinance,  and selective breeding are the implications that these techniques not only have a practical scientific use, but serve to tell people something much more about their place in society, amongst other species that are composed of the same building blocks. All life follows the same central dogma to survive and grow, so the way humans interact with other life forms speaks volumes about current values.

Central to all life, the central dogma
that governs genetics and biotech in a sense

Opposition that may exist to use of genetics
(This is in context of GMOs)

 To me, artistic media and technologies ­­ becomes more valuable when they provide opportunities for reflection and connection. The ethical debate on how these technologies should be used shall persist forever; people debate on whether it is right, whether it is natural, whether animals have rights or not. The main argument I foresee against artists is that their work brings less tangible value to society than actual scientific work, yet this is something I disagree with. Work that brings harm for no apparent reason should clearly be opposed, yet art provides valuable conversation. The only limitations that should be apparent are when boundaries begin to be crossed; respect for other humans and those that bring value into our lives should be maintained. Without that sense of respect, or understanding of other species, it seems possible to lose what makes humans humane.

Sources:

“Central Dogma: an Integration of Science and Art.” GrowNextGen, 5 Jan. 2018, grownextgen.org/curriculum/central-dogma. “March Photo of the Month: GMO Protest, Sacramento, CA 2003.” Climate Connections, 5 Feb. 2015, climate-connections.org/2012/03/31/march-photo-of-the-month-gmo-protest-sacramento-ca-2003/. Philipkoski, Kristen. “RIP: Alba, the Glowing Bunny.” Wired, Conde Nast, 4 June 2017, www.wired.com/2002/08/rip-alba-the-glowing-bunny/. Online, UC. “5 Bioart pt1 1280x720.” YouTube, YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg. Kelty, Christopher M. "Outlaw, hackers, victorian amateurs: diagnosing public participation in the life sciences today." Journal of Science Communication 9.1 (2010): C03. “Central Dogma: an Integration of Science and Art.” GrowNextGen, 5 Jan. 2018, grownextgen.org/curriculum/central-dogma. “March Photo of the Month: GMO Protest, Sacramento, CA 2003.” Climate Connections, 5 Feb. 2015, climate-connections.org/2012/03/31/march-photo-of-the-month-gmo-protest-sacramento-ca-2003/. Online, UC. “5 Bioart pt1 1280x720.” YouTube, YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg.