Week 6

Week 6

BioTech + Art

     BioTech is best stated in a single line stated by James Watson, "It was simple, you can explain the ideo to anyone." And when you think about it, it is simple to explain to someone what it is. The one thing about BioTech that is not simple is the question of whether or not it should be done, and how. When other living organisms become involved, what should be there artistic license.

An example of genetic engineering for the far future.

     Along with the question comes a range and variety of answers. My person opinion and answer to the question is simple and follows the same belief of Eduardo Kac. I feel that as long as no living organism is feeling prolonged pain then the genetic mutations that they are performing are acceptable. There is caution and care when it comes to Kathy High's creation or any of the other various projects at Simbiotica as they always do their best not to harm any of the living organisms. 

A project currently being engineered
at Simbiotica.

A genetic modification done to a bunny to
make it fluorescent green.

This research and artistic expression may have more value than you think. In a way it may be able to de-stigmatize some of the negative views of genetic engineering. When Eduardo Kac creates a fluorescent bunny, it can become much more approachable and acceptable to many people rather than seen as unnatural or a wrong doing to a living organism. Yes, in McDonald's decomposition video you may see a few negatives to genetic engineering, but when artistic expression is involved, there is always some positive things that result.

Works Cited

"SymbioticA." SymbioticA : SymbioticA : The University of Western Australia. University of Western Australia, 2010. Web. 14 May 2017.

Griffin, Kathy. "Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Transgenics." ACTION BIOSCIENCE. N.p., Nov. 2013. Web. 15 May 2017.

Mayer, Jorge. "Golden Rice Project." The Golden Rice Project. Golden Rice Humanitarian Board, n.d. Web. 13 May 2017.

"Industries." Home | AMSilk. Gates Foundation, 2012. Web. 15 May 2017.

Swaminathan, Nikhil. "Good and Evil: A Cancer Vaccine from Tobacco Plants." Scientific American. N.p., 22 July 2008. Web. 15 May 2017.