Colin Galbraith DESMA 9 Week 6

Artists always explore and create new mediums and techniques. In recent years, artists have started using transgenics, mutilation, mutation, and recombinants to create art that challenges our understanding of life. While the new media raises ethical questions, it also provides an opportunity to explore the boundaries of artistic expression and human creativity. 

One of the biggest questions surrounding manipulating life as an expressive medium is the intent. Some argue that using biotechnology to create art unnecessarily exploits living organisms, with humans trying to act as God for entertainment (Locke). Others say it is a form of artistic expression that reflects our society's values about the relationship between humans and other life (Harrison). A controversial example of this type of art presented in Lecture 1 (Vensa 9:37) is the GFP bunny, Alba. Alba was genetically modified to glow by expressing genes from a jellyfish.

Alba, the glowing green bunny.

A challenge in evaluating biotechnology as an artistic technique is defining value. Traditional art forms like painting and sculpture have established metrics, but these guidelines do not extend/exist for biotechnological art. For example, how do we compare the value of a bioengineered plant to a painting? I can’t answer this question. 

An Evening Brown butterfly modified with one red human gene.

There are also complex ethical and moral considerations surrounding the use of life as an expressive medium. Creating transgenic organisms or genetically modified plants can have unintended consequences on the environment (Chamberlin), potentially harming preestablished living beings (Westheimer). There is also the question of whether artists should be subject to the same regulations as scientists in industry and academia when it comes to using biotechnology. Some argue that artists should have more freedom to experiment with new techniques, but then a rouge scientist could claim to be an artist. However, such experimentation should be subject to tight authorization and regulation to ensure responsible use. 

Marmoset's genes were modified to create a model for Parkinson's.

While I could argue a benefit to society from understanding creating an animal model of a disease, I have a tougher time justifying it in the name of art. There is no easy answer to the ethical, moral, and artistic questions that the use of life raises, we must continue to engage in open and honest dialogue about the potential risks and benefits of biotechnological techniques in art and work. With careful consideration and responsible use, biotechnology can expand how we interpret and increase our understanding of complex biotechnological data (Weeks).

References:

“5 Bioart Pt1 1280x720.” YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg&ab_channel=UCOnline. 

Chamberlin, Morgan. “The Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops.” Montana State University: Mountains and Minds, www.montana.edu/hhd/graduate/dietetics/blog_posts/GMO_environment.html. Accessed 11 May 2023. 

Coghlan, Andy. “First Monkey Genetically Engineered to Have Parkinson’s Created.” New Scientist, 31 Aug. 2016, www.newscientist.com/article/mg23030784-200-first-monkey-model-of-parkinsons/. 

Harrison, Maggie. “This CRISPR Researcher Says Gene Editing Isn’t Playing God.” Futurism, 9 Jan. 2023, futurism.com/neoscope/crispr-gene-editing-playing-god. 

Joseph, Andrew. “Gene-Editing, Religion and One Scientist’s Quest to Reconcile the Two.” PBS, 14 Oct. 2016, www.pbs.org/newshour/science/gene-editing-religion-scientist. 

Kac, Eduardo. GFP Bunny, www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html. Accessed 11 May 2023. 

Locke, Larry. Classification and Nomenclature of CRISPR-CAS Systems: Where from Here ..., www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/crispr.2018.0033. Accessed 11 May 2023. 

Melanitis, Leda. “One Human Gene Inserted Into A Butterfly.” Yiannis Melanitis/ Contemporary Art, www.melanitis.com/main.html. Accessed 11 May 2023. 

Weeks, Jerome. “In the Lab Where Art and Science Fuse.” Art&Seek, artandseek.org/profiles/ruth-west/. Accessed 11 May 2023. 

Westheimer, Jessa ]. “Glowing Green Rabbits, the Dangers of Aestheticization and the Future of Bio Art.” Glowing Green Rabbits, The Dangers of Aestheticization and the Future of Bio Art | Forbes and Fifth | University of Pittsburgh, forbes5.pitt.edu/article/glowing-green-rabbits-dangers-aestheticization-and-future-bio-art. Accessed 11 May 2023.