Week 6: BioTech + Art

A project that particularly caught my attention in this week's lesson and helped further my understanding of biotechnology was Kathy High's Embracing Animal. In her work, High seeks to raise awareness of transgenic rats, rats that have a "foreign DNA inserted into their genome" and are specially engineered for medical and scientific research (High). Also known as hybrids or cyborgs, transgenic animals are created for the purpose of gaining an understanding of certain physiological processes, blood cell production, and how to potentially cure diseased metabolisms. High's group of rats (Matilda, Star, and Tara) were originally produced as a disease model by scientists. 

"How a Transgenic Rat is Created." Embracing Animal, http://www.embracinganimal.com/transrats.html. 


Thanks to High, these lab rats were given another chance and are now being well taken care of! Her goal is to make them live as long as possible, treating them holistically with alternative medicines, environmental enrichment, and plenty of food and play. And in order to provide the public with an insight of their special laboratory treatment, High has established a very special exhibit. This just goes to show that life itself is indeed a valid expressive medium! 



"Installation View at MASS MoCA." Embracing Animal, http://www.embracinganimal.com/transrats.html.


When it comes to transgenics, I believe it is always important to take into consideration various ethical concerns. In response to the question of whether the restrictions for artists using biotechnology should be more stringent, I think it's safe to say that science and ethics need to proceed hand in hand in the exploration of new animal biotechnologies to ensure that they are used within particular moral constraints (UCTV). While there is no doubt that the processes of genetic modification has significant benefits for humans, standards must be put in place for artists and scientists involved in the manipulation of living creatures. Ultimately, there is a critical boundary between naturalness and unnaturalness that all should be cautious of. 

"Installation View at MASS MoCA." Embracing Animal, 
http://www.embracinganimal.com/transrats.html.

In her own work, High makes it clear that she is not against the "kinds of scientific research that works with animals," but there are nevertheless other kinds of research to be conducted (High). According to High, because human materials have been injected into these transgenic rats, we should consider ourselves to have "real kinship" with them. High incorporates the politics of caring and empathy into her project, something that has proven to have a truly transformative effect in the realm of BioArt. 

"Kathy High Feeding Rat." Embracing Animal, http://www.embracinganimal.com/transrats.html.




Works Cited: 

1.) High, Kathy. "Embracing Animal." Embracing Animal, http://www.embracinganimal.com/index.html.

             Accessed May 11, 2023. 


2.) Ormandy, Elizabeth H. and Julie Dale. "Genetic Engineering of Animals: Ethical Issues, Including         
        
            Welfare Concerns." National Library of Medicine, 

            https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3078015/. Accessed May 11, 2023. 


3.) "Transgenic Animal." Science Direct, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-

            and-molecular-biology/transgenic-animal. Accessed May 12, 2023. 


4.) UCTV. "Animal Biotechnology." Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCIvAuwaf-o. 

            Accessed May 11, 2023. 


5.) Vesna, Victoria. Lecture: Biotechnology + Art Part 3. Desma 9: Art, Science, and Technology. 

            University of California, Los Angeles. 

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