One of the most controversial topics that that we have ventured through this course is biotechnology and art. Biotechnology is a powerful tool that is used to genetically alter the genetic make up; or DNA, of life forms. It has been practiced for thousands of years, but only recently, it has made many breakthroughs in cross coding DNA. These breakthroughs have raised an issue of the ethics of creating new life.
To begin, the Human Genome Project was started with the intention of creating, and identifying the DNA and genes that make up humans. However, as the research progressed, the knowledge acquired from this project questioned if this knowledge could be used against mankind. People were unsure if the understanding of the genetic make up of humans would be used to discriminate against humans.
A most prevalent example of biotechnology is food. Food is forefront of biotechnology, and we have all experienced a countless number of instances where food has been modified for our tastes. Just look at the next fruit you pick up, it has probably been modified!
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Seedless Watermelon
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The Alba Bunny was created as the cross between biotechnology and art. It holds the aesthetics of a jellyfish, with its glowing features, with the reproduction rate of a bunny. The creator of the bunny was Eduardo Kac, and he challenged pure genetics with his work. However, with this project, many ethnical questions were raised. How far are people willing to go with cross genetics? What are the benefits of genetic mutation? While cross genetics has opened doors to new drugs, and food, we should be aware of the direction it is going. We have to know that the implications is to improve lives, and not challenge life.
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