Week 6

This week I learned how artists are able to manipulate biotechnology to create art. It is very interesting to see how much of living organisms make-ups can be seen as art or manipulated into art.

I believe that regardless if the project is being used for science or for art, both projects should have the same restrictions. I believe anything unethical or harmful to people should be restricted. Especially since the improvement and accessibility to technology has improved the combination of scientists and artists can create amazing things. Although it is hard to put restrictions on an artist’s creative process when they involve laboratories there are ethical standards that need to be upheld. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=artists+in+labs&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwijnIni2MnMAhVE-2MKHYNKChAQ_AUIBygB&biw=1440&bih=737#tbm=isch&q=art+plus+biology&imgrc=d_ysXhFPOw3w4M%3A

As stated above an artist who is manipulating any sort of living organism or and semi-living organism needs ethical standards. However there are exceptions, like the “Harlequin coat” created by ORLAN. She was able to take skin cells, “semi-living”, grow them in a petrie dish, and then design them into a colorful coat. She was able to take semi-living organisms with out hurting living people. 

https://www.google.com/searchq=harlequin+coat&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjcwJXI18nMAh
VQ3mMKHdZvCtoQ_AUICCgC&biw=1440&bih=737#imgrc=h6ImqSvbL7mkaM%3A

Yes I believe there should be limits to human creativity. Especially when it turns into inhumane projects or not natural. For example, the ability to genetically modify what your baby looks like is technology that we have today. In my opinion, being able to genetically modify your baby is unnatural and could create a uniformity of human characteristics. However there are benefits to the science of gene manipulation, as in the ability to prevent the passing down of genetic diseases. Scientists could remove the gene that causes cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, or tay-sachs disease (Clark). This could definitely improve the longevity and ultimately rid the human race of these horrible diseases.

https://www.google.com/searchq=genetically+modified+baby&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi51sq
V2MnMAhVY7WMKHWpVDZwQ_AUIBygB&biw=1440&bih=737#imgrc=N3RUj_a2zyGaM%3A

Citations:

ORLAN. "Still, Living." SymboticA. Web. 07 May 2016.

Clark, Heather. "Types of Genetic Diseases." University of Rochester Medical Center. 5 July 2016. Web. 08 May 2016.

Harlequin Coat. 2008. Sk-interfaces. Fact. Web. 7 May 2016.

The Experiment. 2015. Independent. Web. 7 May 2016.

Underhill, Joannah. Molecular Regeneration. When Science Is Art. The University of Queensland. Web. 7 May 2016.