Before this unit, I did not pay much attention to genetically modified food that is often part of my daily diet. A variety of plants and crops are modified in order to help with different traits. One of my favorite fruits to eat, papaya, is actually modified in a way to make it more virus resistant. An interesting fact about genetically modified papaya that I came across is that it saved Hawaii's papaya industry because the ringspot virus was detrimental to the fruit. Once the papaya was genetically modified, it was able to grow into one of Hawaii's top fruit industry. However, GMO does come with many risks such as potential infertility and immune problems. There are positives and negatives to genetic modification which is what makes it so controversial.
Taking the ear on the rat's back even further, a man did the same on his arm. I find this very interesting as there would be no purpose for an ear to be on an arm like Professor Vesna stated.
Anything that is unnatural and genetically modified like this raises many questions concerning ethics. To some its art but to others it should never be done.
Admin, GMOAnswers. “How GM Papaya Saved Hawaii's Papaya Industry.” GMO Answers, 9 Oct. 2015, gmoanswers.com/how-gm-papaya-saved-hawaii’s-papaya-industry.
“Health Risks.” Institute for Responsible Technology, responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education/health-risks/.
Vesna, Victoria. “BioTech + Art.” Lecture 3. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/888567/pages/unit-6-view?module_item_id=16300814>.“Vacanti Mouse.”
Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Apr. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacanti_mouse.
I tend to lean more towards the second approach that you talked about. I view biotechnology as a breakthrough in science more than anything, as I believe the tradeoff for ethics is viable for the benefits we receive (like getting to eat papaya!). Regarding biotechnology being amalgamated with art, I believe that it's only fair we allow artists to utilize the same technologies and procedures that biotechnology scientists use as well. What's your stance on it?
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you brought up the different perspectives we can have regarding a single action. I tend to feel pretty strongly that ethics should not be suspended for artistic purposes, but find myself a little more willing if it's for scientific purposes -- So, it's cool that you should both sides of the issue in your post.
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