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WEEK 6: Biotech + Art

The Glowing Effect
This week’s lecture on the integration of biotechnology and art was the most interesting topic we have discussed so far. Before this lecture I was never aware of this field of science. I have heard of stem cell research and GMOs but seeing the reaction of combining science and art by making E.Coli listen to jazz or making essentially a lava lamp bunny is both kind of ridiculous but very cool in the sense that these unconventional experiments could change modern day science.
To me, the weirdest but coolest topic was Eduardo Kac’s fluorescent bunny, Alba. This bunny is the culmination of artistic and scientific collaboration. By injecting jellyfish proteins into bunny eggs, a glow-in-the-dark bunny was made. At first, I was unsure of why such a thing would be created, but with further research I learned that this type of technology and research was for tagging embryos or furthering the fight towards finding a cure for cancer.
Protein Structure
I also think the understanding of gene structure and how to combine and create mutant bunnies requires comprehension of the artistic structure of genomes as if they were sculptures which to me is a cool concept: that biologic structures are little works of art.
Cancer Cell
I think this subject was most interesting to me because like the title of this class, this issue is a multi-faceted conversation that involve artistic expression, scientific discovery, as well as animal rights. I think, as with all controversial topics, people do not always understand the pros and cons or experiments like these. Yes, animal cruelty is never okay and this bunny potentially or has been harmed. And yes, this research could prove to fight cancer by attaching fluorescent genes to cancer genes in order to learn about how these killer cells move within the body. I think by educating both sides about the creative process of science experiments and fostering a new appreciation for how the integration of science, biotechnology, art, and medicine can help the human race in the bigger picture will allow for more life-saving advancements.




Sources:

Young, Emma. "Mutant Bunny." New Scientist, 22 Sept. 2000, www.newscientist.com/article/dn16-mutant-bunny/. Accessed 13 May 2018.
Vesna, Victoria. “Biotech + Art.” Lecture part 1. May 12, 2018.
Vesna, Victoria. “Biotech + Art.” Lecture part 2. May 12, 2018.
Ferris, Robert. "Scientists Have Now Bred Bunnies That Glow Green." Business Insider, 14 Aug. 2013,
   www.businessinsider.com/scientists-grow-fluorescent-green-rabbits-2013-8. Accessed 13 May 2018.
Picture Sources:

University of Hawaii. The Glowing Effect. The Guardian, 13 Aug. 2013, www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/13/glow-in-dark-rabbits-scientists. Accessed 13 May 2018.
Cancer Cell. The Truth about Cancer, thetruthaboutcancer.com/characteristics-cancer-cells/.
Protein Structure. Biology Q&As, https://www.biology-questions-and-answers.com/protein-structure.html.

Comments

  1. Julianne JonssonMay 14, 2018 at 12:29 AM

    I really enjoyed how much you liked to see the mutant lava lamp bunny because I also thought that was an extremely interesting application of the biotechnology art. It is especially amazing that they are trying to utilize this artistic work as a means to cure something as complex and scary as cancer. I also agree that the combination of the structures is very much like sculptures. I think the whole concept interests me because I have a pet bunny who resembles the artwork so closely. It worries me that there might be animal cruelty to consider because I strongly believe in the sanctity of life and the safety of all living things. I think some experimentation is necessary for the advancement of science but I draw a strong line at using cruel experiments for artistic works. There needs to be some sort of cost benefit analysis to each of these works to make sure they don't cross any ethical boundaries.

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