Week 6: BioTech + Art

Bioart uses biotechnology to alter biological matter into a living art product. Biotechnology can be used to test new cosmetic and medical products on living organisms, often mice. This is the reason why conservation groups advocate against these procedures and want restrictions on artists and scientists to prevent overuse of biotechnology. 

Bioartists manipulate genes and cells to change the organism’s appearance. They claim to not harm or kill the animal via the process by making living art (Miranda, 2013). I personally think that bioartists should not mess with the appearance of an organism. There are bioartitst that make their organisms look futuristic (Miah, 2012). Aside from physically affecting the appearance of organisms, they are also used to test cosmetic products affecting the human appearance.

The word ‘cosmetics’ is often a synonym for make up, when really according to the Federal and Drug Administration, cosmetics are ‘articles’ applied to the human body (Humane Society, 2014). Biotechnology is the use of living organisms to develop or products. Which is why before a new cosmetic or medicinal drug goes into the market, often it gets tested on small rodents like mice. Why mice? Because a mouse’s genetic pool is very similar to that of humans (Winstead, 2002).  Over 700 mouse genes have counterparts with human genes. These testing have triggered many conservationist groups to advocate against what they call animal cruelty.

Although there are people who find product testing positive, the organisms that are tested on are left to die; they can no longer function properly. This is why some major brands like Bath and Body Works have decided to not do animal testing (The Baltimore Sun, 2010). These companies in a way help with the conservation of these organisms and prevent from altering the genetic pool. On the other hand, countries like China make it mandatory for all foreign cosmetic products to be tested on animals (Humane Society, 2014).

Bioartists have a passion for making art out of living organisms, and there is a border to how far biotechnology can go. I stand in the middle of this situation; I am neither for nor against these procedures. I can say that I would not want animals to be abused and there should be restrictions, but yet again I would not like to put on a lotion that would harm my body.

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Work Cited

Baltimore Sun, “Alternatives to animal testing gaining ground.” Baltimore Sun. McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. 27 Aug. 2010. Web. 7 May. 2015.

Humane Society. “Fact Sheet: Cosmetic Testing.” The Human Society of the United States. 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 8 May. 2015.

Miah, Andy. “Bioart is Changing the World.” HuffPost Arts and Culture. Huffington Post. 7 Feb. 2012. Web. 8 May. 2015.

Miranda, Carolina A. “Weird Science: Biotechnology as Art Form.” ArtNews. Disqus. 18 Mar. 2013. Web. 7 May. 2015.

Winstead, Edward R. “Humans and Mice Together at Last: Scientists compare mouse chromosomes 16 to the human genome.” Genome News Network. J.Craig Venter Institute. 13 May. 2002. Web. 7 May. 2015.