Mariana Jordan
Valentina Jeliazkova
Alexandra Gutowski
April 29 2015
Biological Semitics
Transgenics, GMOs and
Chimeras
Through a common interest of two marine animals, octopi and
jellyfish, which seem to have an umwelt that is nothing like humans umwelt, we
arrived to three very interesting topics: transgenic, GMO’s and chimera’s. As
we began researching about Octopi and Jellyfish, we encountered a study about
jellyfish genes being used to create glow in the dark cats. Leading our
research towards the more specific topics mentioned above. We saw a connection
between this three topics and what we had previously studied in class,
eugenics, and thought it was a great opportunity to find the connecting dots
between eugenics, transgenic, chimeras, GMO’s in relation to semiotics.
As for the research and
presentation, we will be focusing on a brief explanation of what each means and
signifies, as well as presenting a case for each. Which will allow us to go
further into the ethical implications and make a clearer connection to
semiotics.
Beginning by defining each of the
above, as to differentiate what transgenic, GMOs and chimeric animals represent.
Starting of with transgenic organisms, which are genetically engineered
organisms where one species’ genetic material is placed into a different
species. On the other hand, GMOs are organisms whose genetic material has been
altered or engineered. GMOs
don’t necessarily have genetics made up from more than one species, but not
limited to one species. In other words, all Transgenic are GMOs but not
all GMOs are Transgenic. Last but not least, chimeric is a term that is
specific to animals, being an organism with genetic make up from two or more
separate species.
In order to make the previous terms
clear, it is fundamental to look at specific cases for each. These cases help
us not only understand more clearly the topics, but see the ethical
implications tied to the above. And will most probably help create a clear
connection between transgenic, GMO’s and chimeras, with eugenics, as they seem
to bring up very similar ethical concerns. The cases that are being looked at are;
for transgenic: genetically modified rice called Golden Rice as well as an
innovative approach being the “Glowing Plant Project”. For chimeras the major
projects that utilize human animal chimeras in the United States and
internationally will be mentioned, going more in depth in the example on mice. And finally the case on GFP Bunny, as an example on transgenic as well
as an artistic approach to the topic.
Golden Rice is a great example that
clearly shows the ethical concerns tied up to transgenic. This case refers to
engineered rice that was created to produce carotene (pro-vitamin A) in order
to help combat vitamin A deficiency in India. It was predicted that this rice
would contribute in alleviating such deficiency by improving its content of
carotene, making it even greater. It can be identified by its yellow color,
result of the carotenoids that grow in the endosperm of the grain, due to the
modification. Scientists have not been able to increase the amount of carotene
in the rice; the reasons of what is limiting this are unknown. This case shows
an approach of using transgenic as a way to help a society with malnutrition.
The problem is that by introducing a vitamin in a food that is mostly eaten, in
this case in India, the problem of malnutrition is not really being solved. So
looking at this issue and believing that this use of transgenic can fix it is
completely a mistake. It is however an approach to in someway provide more
vitamin A, however is this misleading from the real solution to a major issue?
The Glowing Plant Project is an
interesting case at it seems somewhat a futuristic use of transgenic. This
project consists of incorporating a gene from firefly into houseplants,
creating plants that have a soft illuminating light in the darkness. Resulting
with a “natural” source of light that wouldn’t consume energy. One of the
proposed goals for this project is to create trees that can be used to
illuminate the streets and pathways. As a way to save energy, reduce human’s
dependence on limited energy resources. Again, there are issues that arise with
this use of transgenic. This project generated a debate on the environmental
impacts that this would result on. It also ties back to semiotics, as one must
think in what way would this shift in nature affect or interact with the umwelt
of birds for example.
We will also mention the major projects
that use chimeric animals. Being the following: sheep to human organ transplant
project; pigs to humans organ transplant project; mice with human brain cells
for the study of neurologic diseases and mice with human immune systems for
AIDS drug testing; rabbit-human hybrids for stem cell research; and
monkey-human chimeras for the study of Parkinson’s disease. Focusing on the
mice project, which was done at Stanford University. Researcher Irving
Weissman, is the leader of this project, in which human neural stem cells are
injected into mouse fetuses. This results in mice with a brain that is about 1%
human. Researchers have as a goal to increase this percentage to 100% of human
brains in the body of mice, as a way to better understand the development of
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Lou Gehrig’s diseases.
The GFP Bunny case, was conducted by
artist Eduardo Kac, who interestingly so studied at the School of the Art
institute of Chicago. Kac used a transgenic rabbit containing the Green
Florescent Protein found in Jellyfish. In our presentation we will mention ‘Transgenic
Art’ and the project that Kac created around this topic.
To conclude this research and
presentation, we will talk about the ethical concerns of each of these cases,
opening up for discussion with the audience. As well as reflect on the relation
this topics have to eugenics and semiotics.
We are interested in this topic because
of the surrounding debates around eugenics as we discussed in class. We want to
pose more questions for the arguments of eugenic organisms. In all of the cases
that we present, we believe that these are all cases of eugenics. We want
people to reflect on the ethical concerns of the eugenic nature of the cases.
For
this presentation we choose to do a prezi presentation, in which most
information will be presented using some images as guide and supporting
material. At the end of the presentation we are incorporating discussion, as a
way to let people add their view to the conclusion, and learn from each other
responses. We choose this because we thought that the way material was taught
all through the semester was very effective. With such a short time to talk
about this topic, we thought the best way would be to focus on cases/projects
that would open up conversation at the end.
CITATIONS
"Fatal Chimeras." Science 341.6150 (2013): 1041. Web. <http://www.ahc.umn.edu/img/assets/25857/chimeras.pdf>.
Glenn, Linda MC. "Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Transgenics." Actionbioscience. ACTION BIOSCIENCE Biodiversity, Nov. 2013. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotechnology/glenn.html>.
Biello, David. "Jellyfish Genes Make Glow-in-the-Dark Cats | Observations, Scientific American Blog Network." Scientific American Global RSS. N.p., 12 Sept. 2011. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2011/09/12/jellyfish-genes-make-glow-in-the-dark-cats/>.
Kac, Eduardo. "GFP BUNNY." GFP BUNNY. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html#gfpbunnyanchor>.
"Golden Rice Will Reach Those Who Need It at No Additional Cost." Golden Rice Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www.goldenrice.org>.
"GMO Debate Grows over Golden Rice in the Philippines." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayv_EYi43E8>.
"Frontiers Magazine." Frontiers Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://frontiersmag.wustl.edu/2015/02/23/facing-frankenstein-opening-up-about-gm-food/>.
"LOEWE Center for Insect Biotechnology& Bioresources." Risc Assessment Transgenics. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://insekten-biotechnologie.de/en/schetelig-emmynoether.html>.
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