Week 6: BioTech + Art

BioArt cultivates both the scientific community and the art community through social and ethical issues. BioArt is important because it delves deep into those ethical issues that sometimes would be ignored otherwise by the two sides. Somewhat of a pioneer, Joe Davis was very influential in the BioArt community creating and developing the Audio Microscope where for the first time we could hear our own living cells. Joe Davis brought together art and science and created living art which was influential in both fields. 

http://www.olgadegtyareva.com/posts/blend-of-passions-music-meets-high-pressure-science/

DNA and the altering of DNA has played a key role in the saving of lives or even creating new lives. Artist like Eduardo Kac who crafted the GFP Bunny Alba. Alba was a albino rabbit and was genetically engineered to become a green fluorescent bunny. This new wave of art that goes into the cells and DNA of animals is greatly talked about in discussions of ethics and morality. 

http://www.eddablume.com/lots_of_bunnies,%20front.htm

Gene modification in food is also a new trend. Thus, consumers should be aware of the foods they consume and look out for foods that are modified to have a better color, shape, or form. The foods are modified for economic purposes to have a longer shelf life. Scientists can alter foods however they want and can change them in any manner, this is why food alteration is a great example of BioArt. 

http://www.endoriot.com/2014/11/monsanto-losing-millions-as-gmo.html

Sources 

1) Vesna, Victoria, narr. “BioTech Art Lectures I-V.” N.p., . web. 5 May 2015.

2) Kac, Eduardo. “GFP Bunny.” Ekac. 2009. Web. 5 May 2015

3) Whitman, Deborah B.. “Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?.” csa. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2015.

4) Kelty, Chris. “Meanings of Participation: Outlaw Biology?”. Web. 5 May. 2015.

5) “Genome.” Wikipedia. 19 Oct 2012. Web. 5 May 2015.