In this week, we were introduced to many art works produced by science. For example, there are the models of DNA, the attempt creation of third ear and the cactus project by Laura Cinti.

In scientific terms, DNA is nucleic acid that contains genetic information for an organism. It is essential in all life forms, regardless whether the life is animal or plants. In science book, we would see DNA be represented as a double helix string with other acids connects to them. This graphical display of DNA is itself an art. It is amazing to think that the billions different cells in an organism’s body are all made up of a simple pattern. When different types of acids are represented in different colors, the resulting picture is a colorful double helix. As one zoomed out of the DNA view, one can see how DNA works to keep the bodies functioning. It is a natural art to see how a simple piece of DNA can keep the body going. Human have tried to imitate the magical nature by trying to create a simple body part like an ear.

As the webpage Switched.com announced on 12^th of Oct. 2007, Stelios Arcadious’ latest project has the ability to implement an ear to a person’s arm. The ear is a real ear but not cut off from another person or animal. Instead, it is “grown in a lab from cells.” This attempt to manipulate the natural laws of nature is a great advancement in science. From the start of science, scientists have tried in every way to control nature and change nature to human’s desire. We have the ability to cause rain. We can insert certain gene inside plants to cause them to have more fruit or even seedless fruits.  Now, animal body parts can be created and be placed on the body. For some, this scientific accomplishment is considered as art for most, it is disturbing. One way or another, the fact is that our medical technology has gone farther than before.

 The last art piece that was introduced in Monday’s lecture was Laura Cinti’s Cactus project. It is claimed to be a scientific art called transgenic art. In this project, scientists use the human’s hair gene and inserted it into several cactuses. The result is a normal cactus growing human hair. For this group of people, the technology of transgenic is a form of art. It is correct to assume that the ability to combine different DNA from several organisms is a significant accomplishment for them. On the positive side, this ability can be used to make one invincible to disease if he were injected with the strongest immune system of all species. On the other hand, many others would be concerned with the moral aspect of this accomplishment. For me, this “accomplishment” is plain disturbing. I cannot claim that such activity is an art or not, but I know for certain that it is not aesthetically pleasing.