In this week’s lectures we learned about biotechnology and
art. Biotechnology is “the use of living systems and organisms to develop or
make products, or any technological application that uses biological systems,
living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or
processes for specific use.” Artists are now incorporating biotechnology into
their work.
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| Alba the Bunny https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16-mutant-bunny/ |
“based on the use of genetic engineering to transfer natural or synthetic genes
to an organism, to create unique living beings”. This bunny could not be
created by nature, it has to be created in a lab.
Ruth West raised some very important and controversial
questions regarding biotechnology. For example, she asked if life is a valid
expressive medium, should there be more restrictions on artists using
biotechnology and if there should be limits to human creativity. For me this is
very tricky because I don’t know where an appropriate place to draw the line
would be. From the scientific perspective, biotechnology is a positively ground
breaking invention in regards to medicine. Specifically, it can reduce rates of
infectious diseases, create precise tools for disease detection, and combatting
serious illnesses. Also, biotech can use biological processes to help fuel the
world, like reducing the use of petrochemicals.
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| Revival Field http://melchin.org/oeuvre/revival-field |
On the other hand, when biotechnology
is used for art it can be a bit more controversial. The controversy arises from
the question if something is considered alive or living. Creating living beings
brings up ethical inquiry, because artists can be considered to be using
animals for personal gain. Some bioart pieces can be used without harming
animals, like a piece called “Victimless Leather” by SymbioticA. This uses
cells and not live animals. Another is "Bulletproof Skin" by Jalila Essaidi which is nearly bulletproof skin made from spider silk.
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| Bulletproof Skin http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/blogs/6a00d8341bf67c53ef014e8acd355a970d-800wi.jpg |
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| Victimless Leather Jacket http://www.wired.com/2004/10/jacket-grows-from-living-tissue |
"What Is Biotechnology?"
BIO. BIO, n.d. Web. 06 May 2016.
Kac, Eduardo.
"GFP BUNNY." GFP BUNNY. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2016.
"Revival
Field – Mel Chin." Revival Field – Mel Chin. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May
2016.
"Mutant
Bunny." New Scientist. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May 2016.
Sandhana,
Lakshimi. "Jacket Grows From Living Tissue." Wired.com. Conde
Nast Digital, 10 Dec 04. Web. 06 May 2016.
"Bulletproof
Skin Made From Spider Silk : DNews." DNews. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 May
2016.
Vesna, Victoria.
“5 bioart pt1" Lecture. YouTube. Uconlineprogram, 18
Sept. 2013. Web. 3 May. 2016.
Vesna, Victoria.
“5 BioArt pt4” Lecture. YouTube. Uconlineprogram, 17 May.
2015. Web. 3 May. 2016.
Vesna, Victoria.
“Biotech intro NEW” Lecture. YouTube. Uconlineprogram, 26 Mar.
2012. Web. 3 May. 2016.
Nice post Megan. I really like your ideas about the GFP bunny. I found it super interesting and fascinating that we can do things like that today. I also like your statement about how biotechnology can be controversial depending on if something is alive or living.
ReplyDeleteExcellent entry Megan. I like how you considered both the positives and negatives that biotechnology has had in its various fields. It was nice to see that you did not immediately give a resounding yes to either field, but first considered the controversial side. I do agree that biotech has its benefits in both science and art. However, as with anything, I believe caution is necessary when making largely permanent and potentially dangerous decisions.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I agree that biotechnology is useful, but using it for art appears to be more controversial. I like that you included projects that did not harm living creatures!
ReplyDelete