2019 Year 12 IB Extended Essays

To what extent does Patricia Piccinini challenge our perspective on the ethics of bioengineering?

Conclusion - Art has indisputable power in raising awareness on ethical, political and cultural issues that are in need of discussion due to the salient consequences practices such as bioengineering can truly have. This mode of expression presents the opportunity for artists to challenge perspectives and introduce new ideas and arguments into its intended scope of ethics. Piccinini achieves this in her ability to collaboratively employ hyperrealism, shock-value and empathy to encourage her audience to challenge and enrich their values and beliefs. Though in voicing these ideas, Piccinini has garnered mass publicity and recognition in media and exhibitions it is important to ponder, what is the true purpose behind the challenging of perspective? Is it significant or capable of real change? In exploring bioengineering in such ambiguous detail, Piccinini effectively enhances collective shared knowledge. Thus, planting a seed into the minds of millions surrounding a phenomenon which must be addressed and discussed. The fermentation of such ideas fuelled by this raw emotion (evoked in Piccinini’s works) holds the power to form acutely cogent opinions and arguments on the future of bioethics. Though one may act on their own conviction in the form of campaigns or protests, what will ultimately engender the most change is the consequential diversity of individual perspectives which ensures that all ethical standpoints are represented and validated when it comes to terminal judicial action. Conclusively, extrapolating that just as art is a vehicle for personal expression it is a compelling catalyst for societal evolution.

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