The lecture and context of this week go over the controversial topic of bio-art. It can be considered unethical in the way that scientists have the role of God in a sense, producing lifeforms that do not naturally occur in our world. The subtopic that I found most interesting was the fluorescent bunnies, an albino bunny that had genes from a fluorescent jellyfish inserted.
I found Eduardo Kac’s “Alba” to be fascinating in the way that the genes can be manipulated. Some people would say that this is animal cruelty, however, I only partially agree to this statement. I believe that altering animal's genes without hurting the animal is okay but if it were to have negative consequences on the animal then it should not be allowed. When a genetic modification is used in a scientific environment it should be used to test life-saving medicine.
Questions and the ethics of projects are brought up when it comes to human creativity of art and science. The understanding of biology and genetics have allowed scientists to manipulate life forms, but we have to ask how far we can take it. When physical barriers are reached the moral limits of the experiments need to be discussed. In many bio-art creations, the functionality of the project is lost along the way. There are many “artworks” that do not have a functional purpose, other than a need to show awareness but if the artwork becomes harmful to the animal it requires an ethical debate.
Froelich, Amanda. "Cosmetic Testing Is Now BANNED In New Zealand!" True Activist. True Activist, 08 Apr. 2015. Web. 08 May 2016. <http://www.trueactivist.com/cosmetic-testing-is-now-banned-in-new-zealand/>.
Kac, Eduardo. “Natural History of the Enigma.” Ekac. 2009. Web. 08 May 2016 <http://www.ekac.org/nat.hist.enig.html>
News Desk. "Lab Rats 'acquire Sixth Sense'" Pakistan Today. Pakistan Today, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 08 May 2016. <http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/02/19/entertainment/lab-rats-acquire-sixth-sense/>.
Onion, Amanda. "Artist's Glowing, Live Rabbit Creation Causes Fuss." ABC News. ABC News Network, 19 Sept. 2016. Web. 06 May 2016. <http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=119939&page=1>
Venter, Craig J. "Transgenic Bunny by Eduardo Kac." Transgenic Bunny by Eduardo Kac. Web. 06 May 2016. <http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/03_02/bunny_art.shtml>.
Uconlineprogram. "5 Bioart Pt1 1280x720." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 08 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg>.
Uconlineprogram. "5 BioArt Pt4." YouTube. YouTube, 17 May 2012. Web. 08 May 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&v=2qSc72u9KhI>.
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