Germline Intervention in the Arts

Gene(sis)
The Gene(sis): Contemporary Art Explores Human Genomics exhibition explores recent developments in genetics and addresses the implications of these technologies in our daily lives through the eyes of various artists. A number of artists focus on germline interventions, such as Catherine Chalmers in her Transgenic Mice series and Daniel Lee’s digitally altered photography that blends human and animal characteristics. This website is available at: http://www.gene-sis.net/home.html

Paradise Now
The artistic works on the Paradise Now: Picturing the Genetic Revolution website examine the issues and concerns brought about by advances in science and technology. Many raise questions regarding the social, economical, ecological, and ethical implications of advancements in germline interventions, such as Bryan Crockett, whose ecce homo sculpture portrays the transgenic oncomouse, Julian La Verdiere’s Laurus Nobilus signifying the reconfiguration of humanity’s building blocks so that genius will grow on trees, Karl S. Mihail and Tran T. Kim-Trang’s Creative Gene Harvest Archive, touting the cutting-edge in genetic engineering, and Bradley Rubenstein’s Boy with Beagle Eyes and other photography presenting visions of children with the eyes of dogs. This website is available at: http://www.genomicart.org/pn-home.htm

Critical Art Ensemble
As a collective of 5 artists of various specialties such as book art, performance, computer, film, video, and photography, CAE’s performances criticize various aspects of biotechnology, including human genetics research and assisted reproductive technologies. The website is available at: http://www.critical-art.net

Creative Time DNAid™ Cups
Creative Time is a public art organization based in New York. As part of a series of projects entitled DNAid, they have brought together commissioned artists to design coffee cups with messages addressing the implications of today's genetic research. Various messages on the cups include “Genetic Engineering Hits a Snag,” “No-Die,” and “No More Disappointing Offspring!” These paper cups were distributed in cafes and delis to catalyze public dialogue about genetic research and its potential impact on our daily lives. The website is available at: http://www.creativetime.org/dnaid/cups.html

Eduardo Kac
Kac suggested the creation of a green fluorescent rabbit possessing genetic material from two species, thus making it "transgenic." With the aid of French artist Louis Bec and scientists Louis-Marie Houdebine and Patrick Prunet of France's Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Kac had rabbit DNA spliced with the gene for Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) taken from a jellyfish. The rabbit, named Alba, appears white in daylight but appears to glow green under a blue light. More information on Kac’s art in general is available at: http://www.ekac.org More information on Alba is available at: http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html

Virgil Wong
Artist Virgil Wong has created a fictional website for a research hospital (RYT Hospital) that offers “Genochoice” services in order to allow patients to create their future offspring. This website is available at: http://www.virgilwong.com

Novels

Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake (Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group: New York 2004). Snowman (at one time known as Jimmy) is possibly the last human being remaining on earth after a cataclysmic event. As he fights to stay alive, he retraces the events of his life. The story refers to genetically modified creatures such as a rakunk (raccoon and skunk mix) and the spoat/gider (spider and goat).

Stephen J. Cannell, Runaway Heart (St. Martin’s Press: New York 2003). An attorney’s assistant discovers that the government is genetically engineering animals to replace human soldiers in combat.

Robin Cook, Chromosome 6 (Berkeley Pub Group: New York 1998). An investigation leads a forensic investigator to Africa, where he discovers that a molecular biologist is adding human molecules to chromosome 6 in apes. The apes are cultivated to provide human organ transplants.

Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park (Ballantine Books: New York 1990). A billionaire uses DNA fragments preserved inside amber-encased insects to bring dinosaurs to life and subsequently creates an island theme park featuring the genetically engineered dinosaurs. He invites a group of people to visit the park before opening it to the public, and during the group’s visit the park’s security system breaks down, allowing the dinosaurs to break out of their cages.

Nelson Erlick, Germline (Forge: New York 2003). The author explores the ramifications of gene therapy in this science fiction thriller that focuses on the development of one company’s gene therapy techniques advertised to eradicate a number of deadly diseases.

Michel Houellebecq, The Elementary Particles (Vintage Books: New York 2000). This novel was originally published in France (Les Particules Elémentaires (Paris: Flammarion 1998)) and follows the lives of two half-brothers. One of the brothers is an unemotional genetic researcher and the other has a compulsive sexual appetite. The story offers a view into the new millennium and the possibility of a post-human species resulting from genetic engineering and cloning technologies that will remedy humanity’s flaws.

Aldous Huxley, Brave New World (Harper & Row: New York 1946). This novel is set in a future society where social stability is ensured by a caste system based on the way a child is conditioned pre- and post-natally and by a drug that eradicates pain and unhappiness.

Nancy Kress, Beaker’s Dozen (Tor: New York 1998). A compilation of thirteen science fiction short stories, some concerned with the possibilities of future microbiological techniques, including the creation of children from gene sequencers, beakers and test tubes.

Nancy Kress, Beggars in Spain (Tor: New York 1993). As humans genetically-modified to never require sleep, the “Sleepless” are treated as outcasts from society and are victims of hatred, repression, and violence.

Nancy Kress, Beggars and Choosers (Tor: New York 1996). In the second book of the series stemming from the novel Beggars in Spain, the Sleepless all live on a remote island ostracized from the rest of society. It is there that they have developed a preventative medicine that can make the severely ill healthy but are denied permission to release it.

Nancy Kress, Beggars Ride (Tor: New York 1997). This third story is a continuation of Beggars in Spain, set against a backdrop where the rich are able to genetically modify themselves to perfection. One class starts a class war by discontinuing distribution of a substance that prevents disease to the poorest class.

Hugh Nissenson, The Song of the Earth (Algonquin Books: Chapel Hill, NC 2001). Set in the future, this story reconstructs the life of the first genetically engineered artist after he is murdered at the age of 19.

Craig Nova, Wetware (Shaye Areheart Books: New York 2002). A genetic code programmer of the future develops creatures to perform menial tasks for society such as washing dishes or cleaning the streets. As the demands for workers progress, the programmer is asked to create models that are more human in both appearance and behavior, having distinct personalities, talents, and highly developed minds.

James Patterson, When the Wind Blows (Warner Books, Inc.: New York 1999). A veterinarian discovers a secret laboratory where scientists are genetically engineering children to fly.

James Patterson, The Lake House (Little Brown & Company: New York 2003). This is the sequel to When the Wind Blows. Children genetically engineered to fly are being chased by the scientist who ran the secret laboratory where they were created.

Lewis Perdue, Slatewiper (Forge: New York 2003). The protagonist of this story is a CEO for a genetic engineering laboratory that cures or treats diseases using synthetic genes made from DNA. She is called on to fight an ethnic bioweapon that targets people with specific genetic characteristics. She later discovers that her own work is the source of the bioweapon.

George Turner, Brain Child (William Morrow: New York 1991). A journalist who was raised in a state orphanage finds out that he was actually conceived without parents as part of a government experiment aimed at creating genetically-superior humans.

A.E. Van Vogt, Slan (St. Martin’s Press: New York 1998). A Slan is a human genetically bred to have telepathic powers. A Slan boy must flee persecution from normal humans who despise the powers Slans have.

F. Paul Wilson, Sims (Tor: New York 2003). Chimpanzees enhanced with human DNA are created and used solely as cheap labor.

Movies

Brave New World (1980, 1998), NBC TV Movie. Set in a future society where social stability is ensured by a caste system based on the way a child is conditioned pre- and post-natally and by a drug that eradicates pain and unhappiness. This movie was based on Aldous Huxley’s novel of the same title.

Deep Blue Sea (1999), Warner Studios. Set in a research laboratory in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a group of scientists enlarge the brain sizes of sharks in order to find a cure for degenerative human brain diseases. As a side effect, the sharks get smarter and more aggressive.

Gattaca (1997), Columbia/Tristar Studios. A future society analyzes DNA in order to determine each person’s place in society: The “Valids” (humans genetically engineered to be flawless) qualify for prestigious jobs, whereas “In-Valids” (naturally-born humans who are deemed genetically flawed) are cast into low-level occupations. An In-Valid assumes the identity of a Valid to fool the genetic screening system and gain admission to the space program.

Hulk (2003), Universal Studios. A scientist performs genetic experiments on himself and then passes these genes on to his son. Years later, the son is exposed to gamma radiation, which triggers his father’s genetic mutations. When provoked, the son becomes the incredible Hulk, a powerful giant green monster, with repressed childhood memories as the source of his fury.

Jurassic Park (1993), Universal/MCA. A wealthy entrepreneur uses DNA fragments preserved inside amber-encased insects to bring dinosaurs to life and subsequently creates an island theme park featuring the genetically engineered dinosaurs. He invites a group of people to visit the park before opening it to the public, and during the group’s visit, the park’s security system breaks down, allowing the dinosaurs to break out of their cages. The movie is based on Michael Crichton’s best-selling novel of the same name.

Mimic (1997), Dimension. An entomologist and her husband create a genetically-altered breed of insect to kill disease-infected cockroaches in New York City. The breed was engineered to have a short life expectancy, but after three years the breed has survived and the insects have evolved into giant roaches that prey on humans.

Soldier (1998), Warner Studios. A human soldier is defeated and left on a waste planet by a new breed of genetically-engineered warriors. He meets other people on the planet and sets out to live peacefully until the genetically-engineered warriors return to the planet.

Spider-Man (2002), Columbia/Tristar Studios. After being bitten by a genetically modified spider during a field trip, a nerdy high school boy develops spider-like characteristics. As the amazing “Spider-Man,” the boy uses his superhero powers to fight crime.

Cartoons

Dave MacLachlan
MacLachlan has created a site called “Cloning Around” that includes a page called “Gene-Splicing,” where the user can click to scramble a cartoon, and then rebuild it. The cartoons concern cloning and human genetic modifications. This website is available at: http://www.cloningaround.com

Tom Scott, Ecoglobe
Ecoglobe is a New Zealand site that contains writings and cartoons addressing scientific technology. Tom Scott has a cartoon entitled Great Moments in Genetic Engineering that shows a portly body builder being approached by representatives of the poultry industry who are interested in purchasing some of his chromosomes to splice into their chickens. The cartoon is available at: http://www.ecoglobe.org/nz/ge-news/scot0640.htm

Larry Gonick and Mark Wheelis
Gonick, a San Francisco artist, and Wheelis, a University of California Davis microbiologist, present a humorous look at genetics utilizing their artistic and scientific talents. The Cartoon Guide to Genetics (1991) contains sections entitled "The Spiral Staircase" and "Genetic Engineering," which specifically reference the double helix work of Watson and Crick and the recombinant DNA work of Cohen and Boyer. Sections of the book are available at: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/Exhibits/Biotech/cartoon.html