BIOTECH + ART

Spoilers of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ahead!

As I delved into this week’s topic of art and biotechnology, I found myself drawn to the fascinating and sometimes controversial intersection of life and creativity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when vaccines were rolling out, the topic of biotechnology has taken the spotlight, and its intersection with art has helped highlight the potential benefits and threats.



The greatest example from this week’s material is the creation of the GFP bunny as discussed by Eduardo Kac, in which a gene from a jellyfish was inserted into a rabbit embryo. This resulted in a bunny that glows under blue light. This project is an art that explores the relationship between humans and nature, and as discussed in lecture, opens the possibility to new medical treatments as we know if something’s working. However, this also opens a claim of ethics as the genetic makeup of animals are manipulated for artistic purposes. The BioArt Society’s SOLU Space, based in Finland, is an organization that brings together artists and scientists to create a similar dialogue about the role of biotechnology in society, focusing on its ethical and social implications.



Last weekend, I had the opportunity to watch Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which raised the topic of animal experimentation and this form of art can be seen as a commentary on the ethical implications of using biotechnology. In the movie, the character Rocket Raccoon, along with his friends Lylla, Floor, and Teefs, were subjected to animal experimentation by the High Evolutionary who seeks to create a “perfect” world through genetic engineering. This film shines a light on the suffering of animals in laboratory settings and the moral implications of using living creatures for the advancement of human society. Furthermore, the film's portrayal of Rocket as an individual with thoughts, feelings, and experiences serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing the inherent value of all living creatures, regardless of their perceived usefulness to humans.




I believe that life can be a valid expressive medium, but I acknowledge that it should be done without putting anyone in danger for the sake of it, including those who cannot speak for themselves. Restrictions placed on artists using biotechnology should be considered on a case-by-case basis, balancing safety, ethics, and impact on the environment with one’s right to creative expression. The nature of creativity is to push against these limits and explore the boundaries of what is possible. As such, the limits of human creativity are constantly being redefined and expanded. I believe that the journey should be taken, while also taking the time to pause to reflect on one’s action and whether or not it is the right path to take. 


Sources

Text:

Jakovljevic, Miro, et al. "COVID-19 pandemia and public and global mental health from the perspective of global health security." Psychiatria Danubina 32.1 (2020): 6-14.

Kac, Eduardo. “GFP Bunny at 20.” Journal of Posthuman Studies, vol. 4, no. 2, 2020, pp. 119–128, https://doi.org/10.5325/jpoststud.4.2.0119. 

Murray, Tom, “PETA Calls James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 ‘an Animal Rights Masterpiece.’” The Independent, 9 May 2023, www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/peta-james-gunn-guardians-of-the-galaxy-b2335255.html. 


“Solu / Bioart Society: About.” BioArt Society. Accessed 12 May 2023. 


Vesna, Victoria. “BioTech+Art.” DESMA 9.  https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/160989/pages/unit-6-view?module_item_id=5946338. Accessed 12 May 2023.


Images:

Glassman, Julia. “Rocket’s Past.” The Mary Sue, 25 Apr. 2023, https://www.themarysue.com/new-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-clip-shows-a-heartbreaking-look-at-rockets-past/. Accessed 12 May 2023. 

Stewart, Neal. “GFP Bunny.” Cell, Apr. 2006, https://www.conncoll.edu/ccacad/zimmer/GFP-ww/cooluses8.html. Accessed May 2023.

Tollefsen, Jeff. “Covid-19 Is a Micro-Chip Delivery Tool.” Nature, 16 Apr. 2021, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00997-x. Accessed 12 May 2023. 

Comments

  1. Symphony JacksonMay 12, 2023 at 11:43 PM

    Hi Winzel! I absolutely love how you included Guardians of the Galaxy within your analysis of ethics and biotechnology. I always viewed this portion of the movie as just another plot point rather than translating its meaning into the real world. I also agree that restrictions should be viewed on a case to case basis, as everyone performs art differently and some art works have more implications and do more harm than others.

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