Week 6 Blog
Biotechnology and Art
Before this lesson I was not confident with my understanding of biotechnology and had NO idea how it interestested with art. Fortunately, after listening to professor Vesna I have a better grasp on the topic and I have directed my focus to biotechnology in food (GMOS) and animals. It is a controversial field of study with many pros and con; artist have explored both sides by (Vesna).
Biotechnology and Animals:
How is biotechnology used with animals? It is used to genetically modify animals. It takes an artistic mind to imagine new animals and biotechnology to execute the plan. One example is the Green Bunny by Eduardo Kac called, “...transgenic artwork "GFP Bunny" …” (Kac). The complex new animal was made possible because of current technology; biotechnology allowed for the bunny’s skin pigment to glow green. 
Bunny Glowing Green
Biotechnology and Food:
How is biotechnology used in food? It is used in the form of GMOs, “... an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there” (GMO Defined). If you are not careful you could be consuming a lot of GMOs in your everyday food. You’re probably thinking how does art play into all this? Well, artist, such as Mear One, are using their talents to influence public opinion on GMOs. For example, Mear depicted GMOs as taking over like aliens and painted a dark picture of what could happen (Diamond).
Genetically modified food is usually bigger and lasts longer, but is it healthy?
Ethics becomes a big issue with GMOs and genetic modification of animals. Each person has their own opinion on these things based on their values, and there may not even be a right answer, but it is important to note that the long term effects are unknown because research has not come to a conclusion (Ethical Issues). The problem at this point is that genetic modification is in such an early stage. We are unable to see the long term effects of this, so it may be wise to steer clear until we know for sure.
Long term effects are not proven, so it is probably smart to stay away.
References
Diamond, Sarah. "Artist Mear One Tells the Story Behind His Anti-GMO Mural in Culver City." L.A. Weekly. N.p., 24 May 2016. Web. 08 May 2017.
"GMO Defined." GMO Awareness. N.p., 11 May 2015. Web. 12 May 2017.
“GMO Foods Health Risks, Are You Aware of the Hidden Dangers?” Recipe Critique, www.recipecritique.com/gmo-foods-health-risks-are-you-aware-of-the-hidden-dangers/.
“Green Fluorescent Protein - Cool Uses - Alba.” Connecticut College, Connecticut College, www.conncoll.edu/ccacad/zimmer/GFP-ww/cooluses8.html.
Kac, Eduardo. " GFP BUNNY." GFP BUNNY. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.
"OVERVIEW OF THE TECHNOLOGY." Ethical Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.
Sidell, Holly. “GMOs: What You Need To Know About These Seeds Of Sickness.”HoneyColony, 18 Apr. 2017, www.honeycolony.com/article/gmos-seeds-of-sickness-part-1/.
Vesna, Victoria . "BioTech + Art ." 812 May. 2017. Lecture.
Hello Agustin,
ReplyDeleteyour blog was very insightful, it had perspectives and ideas I did not think about during writing my own blog. I thought it was interesting how you used the florescent bunny, it is something that I find kind of evil in a way due to the fact it has changed the bunny genetic makeup just so the artist can make an art piece. One thing that I did not think about was GMO's. I Completely forgot about GMO's and it is so closely related to use because we eat these foods. I do agree with you in how we do not know for-sure if this is ethical or not because there is very few research on this topic. We can only wait and find out but at the same time through these blogs try to make more people aware of this problem.
Hi Austin, I really enjoyed your post about the relationship of biotech and art. I too wrote about the genetically modified bunny Alba, but I really enjoyed your point of view about the GMO foods. I know today we always here comments about foods that have been genetically modified. I do like the reasoning behind ethics you included. I too am worried about the. long term effect, I guess we will have to wait and see.
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