Week 6: Biotech and Art

The use of technology to better understand what causes and what creates different levels of life is indeed relevant, but it is also controversial.  As Joe Davis did with his experiments, biotech is, in the large picture, trying to make connections on things that do not connect. (Vesna, Lecture 1)  The ability to genetically enhance or alter an organism is interesting in the fact that very recently in the past it would be considered witchcraft or a taboo to society, and some people still believe it to be taboo. 

The genome is a DNA structure that is the essential material needed to create life and to signify what characteristics that life has. (Wikipedia) The alterations that scientist make on organisms, like the GFP bunny, are proven to not be harmful to the organisms, but there is still backlash to the experiments that occur.  Religious argues with the idea of genetic engineering because it is seen to oppose religious beliefs, as in human finitude. (Andras)  For a scientist, or human in general, to alter what is already living or try to create something that is not Heavenly created is seen as a gesture against God, and humans do not know the consequences that could happen due to their tampering with nature.  It is a tough issue because on one hand, genetically engineered plants and fruits can lead to better produce and thus less hunger in the world, but also we should not alter the world because we do not know if there are long term consequences based on what we do.

On the art side, the use of gene transferring has created luminescent animals under ultraviolet light which is a sight to see.  The art associated with the high level of science is creative alone due to its advanced process to be made.  It is also historic by that genetic engineering is related to our past in agriculture in the form of selective breeding.  Genetic engineering and biotech is meant to put the discussion of life and how it can form into the mind of people, but the art that shows it is what has made it a common topic within science and art.

References

 

Vesna, Victoria. Lecture. DESMA 9. Web. 10 May 2015.

Eduardo, Kac. "GFP BUNNY." 2000. Web. 9 May 2015.

"Genetic Engineering & Religious Beliefs." People. Web. 11 May 2015.

"Is Genetic Engineering Morally Acceptable?" Biotechnology as Religion. Web. 10 May 2015.

Emerson, Peter. "Biotechnology and Religion." Ezine Articles. Web. 11 May 2015. .