Week 6 - BioTech + Art

I think the main thing that this week made me think of was the idea of stem cell research and also GMOs. 

For years the idea of stem cell research has been heavily debated because of ethical reasons. My personal views have always been accepting of things like stem cell research because it has the ability to make life better for all people. Stem cell research also has the potential to cure many people of diseases and conditions that have never had a chance to be cured before. This also includes the ability to help create new skin for burn victims, and even with more research, grow tissue/organs like livers for patients in need. 





This is also the same thing with GMOs. For years people have been hating on genetically modified organisms because they feel that it is dangerous to us and have been preaching about organic food. While there are benefits to eating organic, the claims have become overblown and the public perception of GMOs has become extremely negative. GMOs have the potential to be the saviors of the future as we ruin our soils and do damage to the environment. They allow for higher crop yields, protect crops from diseases and pests, and make the job of farmers easier in a time when farmers are struggling. 




The ideas of Joe Davis and Eduardo Kac are also very out there but are important ideas nonetheless. The albino bunny Alba is something that is so interesting even if it received backlash from the public because it shows how much creativity and freedom we as humans have, and how we can use this to really help solve some real problems, especially within our species. That is why I have never personally cared too much about research being done on rats for example, even though I can see the point of view of animal rights advocates. 



Works Cited


Lupkin, S. (2014). The Health Effects of GMO Foods. ABC News. Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://abcnews.go.com/Health/health-effects-gmo-foods/story?id=23459884

Judd, T. (2019). The early history of the lab rat. Charles River. Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://www.criver.com/eureka/the-early-history-of-the-lab-rat

Stem cell treatment for skin burns, can stem cells cure burns? Advancells. (2019, July 19). Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://www.advancells.com/stem-cells-treatment-for-skin-burns-a-futuristic-approach/

Vesna, V. (2022, May). Week 6 - BioTech+Art . Lecture.

De Vendômois, Joël Spiroux, et al. "Debate on GMOs health risks after statistical findings in regulatory tests." International Journal of Biological Sciences 6.6 (2010): 590.


Ghieh, Fadi, et al. "The use of stem cells in burn wound healing: a review." BioMed research international 2015 (2015).


Kac, Eduardo. "GFP bunny." Leonardo 36.2 (2003): 97-102.


Aerni, Philipp, and Thomas Bernauer. "Stakeholder attitudes toward GMOs in the Philippines, Mexico, and South Africa: The issue of public trust." World development 34.3 (2006): 557-575.


Comments

  1. Thatcher HurdMay 8, 2022 at 11:35 PM

    Hi Shyam, I really enjoyed reading your blog post I found it to be very informative and insightful. I was drawn to your point regarding ethical reasoning behind cell research and cloning. It is fascinating to understand the fine line between immoral and progressive. I thought your use of sources and images really drove home your key points and made this post clear, concise and very educational. Nice Work Shyam.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kathryne_RomoDESMA9July 7, 2023 at 4:53 AM

    I think your post was very well organized and progressed perfectly. I think you addressing stem cell research, then GMO's and finally alba the bunny was a good call. You chose good topics to discuss in order to demonstrate art in biotech.

    ReplyDelete

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