Ryan M. Blog 5

 Biotechnology And Art

The entire concept of biotechnology and the potential behind it is incredibly interesting to me.  Learning about the work of artists such as Joe Davis and Eduardo Katz exposed me to an entirely new form of art that I never would have considered being a field of artistic expression.  It is honestly quite cool to be able to make animals glow or create poetry in the eyes of a fly.  Also it is important to note that the medical applications of genetic modification are unprecedented and could lead to many great achievements.  It is important to address the morality or immorality of the practice.  

https://www.conncoll.edu/ccacad/zimmer/GFP-ww/images/alba2.jpg



On the subject of life itself as an expressive medium I believe that there will need to be serious limitations and restrictions in place to ensure that this artistic pursuit does not break any laws or hurt anyone.  As for experimentation and use of animals for artistic expression it should not really be much of an issue as long as it is done for a serious purpose or pursuit of knowledge. If it is simply torture or resembles it then certainly it should not be allowed to happen.  As for genetic manipulation it should not in any way decrease the quality of life that the animal will experience.  Otherwise it would just be a cruel use of superior intellect.  It is also important that the animals tested on cannot breed with wild populations of the same species unless that was the intent.  Otherwise this contact could have irreparable impacts on the evolution of that species in the wild.  

https://cdn.britannica.com/36/230836-131-84375B41/laboratory-rat.jpg

When it comes to biotechnology in the form of artistic expression it is important to make sure that those who are allowed to manipulate living organisms have the proper training and do so in proper environments.  Although the end goal of the process will be an artistic one, it is important that the process itself is conducted in a scientific manner.  There can't just exist an environment where an artist decides to start modifying animal genetics in their basement based off of youtube videos they watched. I do believe that the restrictions for artistic expression through the manipulation of life should be more restricted than that of academic research because of the end goal involved.  This does not mean that it should in any way be stopped or hindered because of what it could potentially contribute to the world as a whole. 

https://www.madaboutscience.com.au/shop/media/wysiwyg/blog/experiments/GrowBacteriPetriDish_1.jpg

 



Sources

Images:

Zimmer, Mark. Green Fluorescent Protien, 15 Aug. 2015, https://www.conncoll.edu/ccacad/zimmer/GFP-ww/cooluses8.html. Accessed 5 May 2022.

“Pro and Con: Animal Testing.” Britannica Pro&Con, 18 Mar. 2020, https://cdn.britannica.com/36/230836-131-84375B41/laboratory-rat.jpg. Accessed 6 May 2022.

“Grow Bacteria on Home Made Agar Plates.” Mad About Science, 26 July 2017, https://www.madaboutscience.com.au/shop/media/wysiwyg/blog/experiments/GrowBacteriPetriDish_1.jpg. Accessed 6 May 2022.


References:

Arber, Werner. “Genetic Manipulation : Impact on Man and Society  / Edited by Werner Arber [and Others] ; Technical Editor, A. Padron.” Cambridge [Cambridgeshire] ;: Published on behalf of the ICSU Press by Cambridge University Press, 1984. Print.

Birke, Lynda. “Meddling with Medusa: On Genetic Manipulation, Art and Animals.” AI & society 20.1 (2006): 103–117. Web.

Davis, John. John Davis : Landscape as Subject and Source. Spokane: Cheney Cowles Museum, 1994. Print.

Jaiwal, Pawan Kumar, Rana Pratap Singh, and Om Parkash Dhankher. Genetic Manipulation in Plants for Mitigation of Climate Change. New Delhi: Springer India, 2015. Web.

Lea, Peter J., G. R. Stewart, and G. R. (George R.) Stewart. “The Genetic Manipulation of Plants and Its Application to Agriculture  / Edited by P.J. Lea and G.R. Stewart.” Oxford [Oxfordshire] ;: Clarendon Press, 1984. Print.




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