Week 6 - BioTech + Art

Stelarc's performance piece, Ping Body

Human creativity is what pushes our society forward, in terms of the beauty and technology that comes forth from the artists and scientists.  Although scientists are called the experimenters in labs and test trials, artists themselves also have the leeway to experiment with different techniques, much to some debate about controversial acts to humans and animals.  The question is, to what extent may artists push the boundaries, who don't already have ethical laws to follow?

Scientist Haldane self-experimenting in a deep-sea diving chamber

Stelarc, known for his attachment of a third ear on his arm,  formed the Ping Body project "in which he wired himself to the internet — quite literally — by attaching electrodes to various muscles, which could then be activated by remote users" (Dayal).  Stelarc's messages of global connections through the internet and the feelings of human connection through technological interfaces captures the fusion of biotech and art.  Because his experiments are on his own body and is supported by his own free will, I personally am hesitant to refer his work to some of the ethical dilemmas present in artists' manipulations of the body, genes, and animals.

What ethical implications exist for wearable technology?

However, scientists themselves have discussed an idea called "self-experimentation" (Carisa).   While more prevalent before the establishment of ethical review boards, scientists are limited based on a set of rules.  Often, they are not allowed to include themselves as subjects to their experiments, though there are many instances where the scientist, or performer, is placed within the experiment itself though it may devalue the data (Haris).

This does not take into consideration experiments and art forms that extend beyond just the artists' own life and body.  Miranda talks about works that carry "emotional reactions that biotechnology can inspire, especially in the wake of 9/11."  Considering how such art does not create quite as physical benefits that scientists generate for the medical or defense fields, it raises the questions of what can be done in respect to the life forms around us and the consequences they may carry.

Though there may not be answers now, these are all relevant questions that artists must consider before proceeding with their artist expression and manipulations of life.  Professor Vesna, through the varying examples that explore the many realms of ethicality and societal acceptance of art, hinted that such bioart must be taken beyond face value.  Society must also take a more active role in determining and pondering the ethical implications, even more so than they already do for scientists, of artists who challenge the norms and express themselves in biotechnological mechanisms.

Works Cited

Cunningham, Carisa. "Scientists discuss experiments on self." HARVARD GAZETTE ARCHIVES. Harvard University Gazette. Web. 9 May 2015.

Dayal, Greeta. "For Extreme Artist Stelarc, Body Mods Hint at Humans’ Possible Future." Wired. Wired, 2 May 2012. Web. 9 May 2015.

Haris, Eleanor. "Eight scientists who became their own guinea pigs." NewScientist, 11. Mar. 2009. Web. 9 May 2015.

Miranda, Carolina. "WEIRD SCIENCE: BIOTECHNOLOGY AS ART FORM." Art News, 18 Mar. 2013. Web. 9 May 2015.

Kershen, Drew. "The Concept Of Natural: Implications For Biotechnology Regulation." AgBioWorld. Web. 9 May 2015.