Week 4: BioTech + Art

This week's topic is confirmed to be controversial but the most thought-provoking concept  that we have covered so far. I am impressed that biology and art found each other to create this sophistication that disturbs ethical beliefs but is also an advancement in both subjects.

As art becomes fused with biology, animals are experiencing an altercation in their natural genes. It is unknown to me when and how rats became a test subject for human medical studies. "Test" rats are inserted foreign DNA into their genome and called transgenic rats. Any animal thatThe differences in the transgenic rats will be passed down onto their children and grandchildren. The alteration of an entire natural species and brings up serious ethical questions. this sophistication becomes controversy in today's society. This altercation does not allow for natural selection because of artists and scientists's quest for knowledge which could actually lead to a world dilemma.

  

    Further showcasing biology and art together, Vesna described in lecture that Eduardo Kac inserted a fluorescent gene from a jellyfish into a bunny to create a glowing bunny for art purposes. Personally, this alteration of nature is against my ethical beliefs because it was done for an artistic purpose. Kac described this mutation as a new form of art, transgenic art. I think it is unethical for a living organism to be altered for visual enjoyment. This is where the line between biology and art stand apart. There are other ways to fuse biology and art together without manipulating living organisms.

S Stemming off bio+art with animals, more controversial issues we have is genetically modified and cloning. As genetically modified food and animals are on the rise, consumers are worried about the effect of eating gmo food. I watched this a while back in my freshman high school biology class but the video shows McDonald's burgers french fries and burgers over a period of time compared to other restaurants. You are able to see that other restaurant's food start are all moldy but McDonald's are just starting to mold. It's scary to know what you might eat be artificial and if it is not regulated it could lead to our own demise.

Moving on to cloning, cloning is starting to save so many lives. Cloning also brings up ethical issues that the movie, The Island points outs. It could be benefit our world but what would become of it? A world without death, who would live to the fullest anymore if they know death is not near. The human lifespan would be vastly extended.

Screenshot from The Island

BioArt is a very fast pace combination that could change our world bigger than any other subject combined. Our quality of life changes, time span of life, and human genuineness would invitablely disappear.

     1. "How Did Matilda, Tara and Star Barbie Become Transgenic Rats?"Embracing Animal. Web. 3 July 2016. <http://www.embracinganimal.com/transrats.html>.
3  2. Javahippo. "McDonald's Food Expirament." YouTube. YouTube, 12 June 2007. Web. 17 July 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6us9kHHSNwk#action=share>.

·   3. Kac, Eduardo. "GFP BUNNY." GFP BUNNY. Web. 03 July 2016. <http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html#gfpbunnyanchor>.

·   4. Levy, Ellen K.. “Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications.” DESMA 9. Web. 17 July 2016. 

·    5. Vesna, Victoria. "5 BioArt Pt1." YouTube. Uconlineprogram, 17 May 2012. Web. 03 July 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&time_continue=578&v=jUENH6GLzXY>.

·       

·      Images

·      1. All About Transgenic Rats. Digital image. Embracing Animal. Web. 3 July 2016. <http://www.embracinganimal.com/transrats.html>.

·      2. Kac, Eduardo. GFB Bunny. Digital image. EKAC. Web. 3 July 2016. <http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html#gfpbunnyanchor>.

·      3. Stokes, Natasha. The Island. Digital image. Natashastokes.com. WordPress.com, 27 Apr. 2016. Web. 17 July 2016. <https://natashastokes.com/2008/04/27/clone-alone/>.