Week 6: BIOTECH+ART

In this week's unit, the connection between biotechnology and art is found in the form of Bio Art, which I believe helps drive scientific innovation and brings to life certain moral and social issues in  associated with biotechnology in addition to giving regular people access to gaining a better understanding of various developments in life science. 

The essay "Meanings of Participation: Outlaw Biology?: Outlaws, Hackers, and Victorian Gentlemen" really struck a cord with me on the idea of Bio Art as a means of communication as it described how "outlaws" of life science, exemplified by the DIY Biology movement, have helped the general public understand the interactions between microorganisms in the environment. The author also emphasizes the importance of Bio Art as a "a source of surplus but also a target for critique" for biological research (Outlaw Biology). 
One common DIY Biology project mentioned in the essay was extracting the DNA from strawberries.
As such, Bio artists have the opportunity use ideas from biotechnology to form innovation through art in addition to collaborating with scientists, thus bridging the gap between art and science. For instance, as described in lecture, Bioartist Joe Davis worked with genome scientists to understand the structure of the genome in order to create pieces like the Audio microscope and conduct his own research on how sounds such as music affects E. coli bacteria. 

Joe Baker, considered one of the founders of Bio Art.


Furthermore, I found that the idea of art, particularly that of innovation, can be found to spark scientific discovery, but there can be limitations to this sense of creativity, as found in Ellen Levy's essay "Defining Life: Artists Challenging Conventional Classifications", which examined the legal and moral ramifications to innovation. For instance, the idea of gene manipulation in addition to the idea of creating the ideal individual as found in art by Orlan, is reminiscent of the moral ramifications found in the novel, Brave New World, where the idea of eugenics and the development of reproductive technology has spurred the creation of the ideal society. I feel that the sense of fear found from works like Brave New World and society's moral obligations as demonstrated in the establishment of scientific regulation of research prevents artists and scientists alike from fully exploring their creativity. 

In addition, regardless of the legality of some developments in biotechnology, there still remains the negative stigma morally, as seen through backlash with the use of in-vitro fertilization and gender selection by celebrities such as Chrissy Teigen. As such, I believe the continued work of Bio artists and the "outlaw" biologists can inform the public and bring discussion to reevaluate the moral and social ramifications to better innovation.












Works Cited
Blair, Olivia. "Chrissy Teigen defends selecting gender of her baby during IVF after backlash." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 24 Feb. 2016. Web. 11 May 2017. <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/chrissy-teigen-john-legend-baby-ivf-a6893621.html>.

Brave New World. Digital image. Amazon, n.d. Web. 12 May 2017. <https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51RAH7c2NXL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg>.

Do it yourself strawberry DNA . Digital image. Science Buddies, 5 Aug. 2014. Web. 13 May 2017. <http://www.sciencebuddies.org/Users/MicroV/idtp/125.jpg>.

Joe Davis. Digital image. Sualci Quotes, n.d. Web. 12 May 2017. <http://www.sualci.com/images/joe-davis-4.jpg>.

Kelty, Chris. "Outlaw Biology." UCLA Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2017. <http://magazine.ucla.edu/features/outlaw-biology/>.

Levy, Ellen K. "Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications." N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017. <http://nanobioart.artscicenter.com/hybrid/sites/default/files/Ellen_Levy_BioArt.pdf>.

Smith, Wesley J. "Brave New World Should Be an Election Issue | Wesley J. Smith." First Things. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017. <https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2016/08/brave-new-world-should-be-an-election-issue>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Bioart Part 1." Los Angeles. YouTube. Web. 11 May 2017. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg>.


Comments

  1. UnknownMay 17, 2017 at 5:45 PM

    I also believe that through biotechnology and art, it will drive and support scientific innovation and address many moral/social issues. I think that BioArt can be seen as particularly invasive or scary due to its scientific nature to bring issues up that people don't personally like, whether it be GMOs or experiments on animals. I think overall, it is important to not say NO to every idea straight away as the opportunities presented by BioArt are so important to the development of both respective cultures. Like you say, this combination is giving people access to gaining a better understanding of various developments in life science. I think this lack of comfort experienced by people in BioArt is actually a good thing. If we're not uncomfortable, I don't think we are pushing ourselves to the limit and we will miss out in a lot of opportunities.

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