Grace Collins DESMA9 Week#6

 Biotech + Art

Looking at biotech + art, I think many inherently have a greater debate over its ethics and validity as an expressive medium. When we typically look at artist forms, we often think about mediums such as painting, drawing, musical, digital, or even visual forums. In the visual category, this might look like dancing or using our bodies in a performative way. Orlan, an artist shown in this week’s lecture, takes performance art to a new level. She uses in vitro skin of varying colors to show cultural “cultural crossbreeding” (Alyian, 2021) and does so in the form of a coat and it investigates human cellular level. 

With regard to cells, I found GMO’s to be an interesting related topic to this week’s lecture. GMO’s are another controversial topic. If artists, in this week’s lecture, can investigate cells and neurons between mice and robotic arms, for example, what are the repercussions of adding cells and variables to the food that we consume? One pro is the idea that we can alter desirable traits, by adding nutrients. A con, however, are long term effects of GMO consumption. 



As a general question, I am interesting in hearing more on people’s stances on the utilization of cells & neurons from living organisms in the art world and whether or not this is considered ethical or not, as taking cells and inserting them into organisms who might not typically have the same set of traits or molecular structures is an interesting topic. 

Works Cited:

Alyian. “Orlan: The Harlequin's Coat - Alyian- Portfolio of Steven Aaron Hughe.” Alyian, 2021, https://www.alyian.com.au/orlan-the-harlequins-coat. 

Levy, Ellen. “Ellen_Levy_BioArt - 1 Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications Ellen K. Levy like the Platypus, Which Presented a Taxonomic Dilemma: Course Hero.” Ellen_Levy_BioArt - 1 Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications Ellen K. Levy Like the Platypus, Which Presented a Taxonomic Dilemma | Course Hero, https://www.coursehero.com/file/19828843/Ellen-Levy-BioArt/. 

Ormandy, Elisabeth H, et al. “Genetic Engineering of Animals: Ethical Issues, Including Welfare Concerns.” The Canadian Veterinary Journal = La Revue Veterinaire Canadienne, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, May 2011, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3078015/. 

ProCon.org. “GMO Pros and Cons - Should Genetically Modified Organisms Be Grown?” ProCon.org, 11 Feb. 2022, https://www.procon.org/headlines/gmos-top-3-pros-and-cons/. 

Thompson, Paul. “Food and Agricultural Biotechnology: Incorporating Ethical Considerations.” Food and Agricultural Biotechnology: Incorporating Ethical Considerations, Oct. 2000, https://www.iatp.org/sites/default/files/Food_and_Agricultural_Biotechnology_Incorporat.htm. 

Images:

“Orlan Aaka Orlan.” ORLAN AAKA ORLAN | Exhibition | Prometeo Gallery Ida Pisani, http://www.prometeogallery.com/en/mostra/orlan-aaka-orlan. 

Venugopal, Meera. “Everything You Must Know about Genetically Modified Organisms or Gmos.” NewsBytes, NewsBytes, 7 Mar. 2021, https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/lifestyle/here-s-everything-you-should-know-about-gmos/story. 

Why Scientists Are Using Mice to Make Human Cells - Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=712bONQb1FM. 


Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 5, 2022 at 11:57 PM

    Hi Grace -

    I agree that biotechnology is such an important art form that is not widely discussed enough in society. I also enjoy learning about the pros and cons of GMOs. They can help with shelf life and even help with the global issue of hunger and famine (i.e., nutrient-rich golden rice, as discussed in my LS7A class). However, the long-term safety and side-effects are not fully known about GMOs. I would say that more research needs to be done on the safety and efficacy of GMOs. Additionally, I do think the topic of the ethics relating to whether to have parts of the human body on display as art or not is fascinating. I really enjoyed your post - great analysis!

    -Julia

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