Week 6: BioTech + Art

An artist's representation of gene modification

In many ways genetic modification is an art. These scientists are creating brand new crops by modifying existing ones, thus introducing the world to a thing that was all in their head previously (Kelty). Genetic modification could be a crucial tool for many artists to explore unfamiliar territory and expand their portfolios. However, I believe that restriction should be more stringent for artists using biotechnology (as compared to scientists) because biotechnology is a new and unexplored territory. There are large debates about how far scientists are allowed to go with genetic engineering (Phillips). The consequences of badly designed experiments could be deadly for humans if an artist or a scientist accidentally creates a deadly mutation or parasite. As such, I think the use of genetic modification by scientists and, especially, artists should be highly regulated by appropriate authorities.

A controversial lab rat modified to grow a human ear on its back.

As Wenk mentions, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine the line between food and drugs. This could be made even more difficult by artists who create new plants that affect our brains in new, and potentially harmful, ways. However, limiting a person can and cannot grow (assuming the said plant is not harmful to humans or the environment) should not be something that is determined by any group. As Munger points out, many other species grow their own food. It’s fascinating that ants cultivate fungi and are able to repel pests using different kinds of bacteria. If nature can find a way to allow ants to cultivate their food, we should not be restricting what other people can and cannot grow as long as they are not causing any harm.

Dave Munger mentions species of ants that grow their own food.

Bibliography

1. Levy, Ellen. Defining Life: Artists Challenge Conventional Classifications. n.d. Web. May 2018.
2. Kelty, Chris. "Meanings of Participation: Outlaw Biology?" (n.d.). 
3. Munger, Dave. Agriculture in the Wild. 10 November 2010. Web. 13 May 2018. http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/agriculture_in_the_wild/.

4. Phillips, Theresa. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA Technology. 2008. Web. 12 May 2018. https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-transgenic-crops-and-732.

5. Wenk, Gary. This is Your Brain on Food. 13 September 2010. Web. 12 May 2018. http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/this_is_your_brain_on_food/.

Images:

Andrianocz. Genetic engineering and gene manipulation concept. Dreamstime. n.d. Web. https://www.dreamstime.com/genetic-engineering-gene-manipulation-concept-hand-scientist-replacing-dna-image107714291

Animal Liberation. Genetic Engineering. n.d. Web. 13 May 2018. https://www.animal-lib.org.au/new/genetic-engineering/.

Munger, Dave. Agriculture in the Wild. 10 November 2010. Web. 13 May 2018. http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/agriculture_in_the_wild/.