Unit Six: BioTech + Art

I have never considered genetic engineering to be an art form until looking into Eduardo Kac's ideology behind his project, the GFP Bunny. As the creative leader of this transgenic piece, he publicized  the idea of using genetic engineering as a way to bring artwork to life by creating one of a kind living organisms rather than working with inanimate mediums. To create GFP bunny he inserted bioluminescent DNA into a rabbit embryo, causing the rabbit to glow under a UV light. This insertion of bioluminescent genes is a common practice in medical research, but it caused quite a stir among animal rights activists when used for an art piece. The outrage by activists was rather unmerited. Kac and his family took wonderful care of the rabbit. His goal was to expand people's definition of art to include interactive art, sometimes in the form of living organisms. Even though he considers the bunny to be an art piece, it is still in need of love, care, and social interaction. He thinks that art, as we know it in this century, will soon be obsolete, and we will be able to connect with all art in a tangible way.


I understand why there is controversy surrounding the subject of genetic engineering for both art and scientific purposes. It is frightening to think that we could alter the way organisms have evolved naturally, especially when it applies not only to animals but to humankind directly. I think that genetic engineering could be a revolutionary way to further our success and health on earth. As far as using it to make art, I maintain the position I hold on the use of genetic engineering for scientific purposes: we need to be careful. We have very little experience with the long-term effects of genetic engineering, but I also look forward to seeing what we can create.

Sources:

Art|Sci Center. "GFP Bunny on Vimeo." Vimeo | The high-quality home for video hosting and watching. Art|Sci Center, 2010. Web. <http://vimeo.com/9762314>.

High, Kathy. "Embracing Animal :: Rat Love Manifesto." Embracinganimal.com. Web. <http://www.embracinganimal.com/ratlove.html>.

Kac, Eduardo. "Behold, Alba." KAC. Web. <http://www.ekac.org/fdeb.html>.

Kac, Eduardo . "Free Alba!." KAC. 2002. Web. <http://www.ekac.org/nytimes_freealba.html>.

Kac, Eduardo. "GFP BUNNY." KAC. Web. <http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html#gfpbunnyanchor>.

Kac, Eduardo. "What if art could truly create biological life? | Eduardo Kac | TEDxVienna - YouTube." YouTube. YouTube, 1 Dec 2015. Web. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS_5WJteCC8>.

Philipkoski, Kristen. "RIP: Alba, the Glowing Bunny | WIRED." WIRED. Condé Nast, 12 Aug 02. Web. <http://www.wired.com/2002/08/rip-alba-the-glowing-bunny/>.

"Transgenic bunny by Eduardo Kac." Genome News Network - Home. J. Craig Venter Institute, 29 Mar 2002. Web. <http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/03_02/bunny_art.shtml>.