(RE)embodying biotechnology : towards the democratization of biotechnology through embodied art practices

Contemporary discourse surrounding biotechnology places great emphasis on digital metaphors in describing the biological sciences. In these discourses it is as if mankind's 'cumulative' technology - computation - performs the ultimate science, the dominion of man over nature through the application of numeric code to living organism. This general application of computational models to instances of biotechnology provides a sterilizing affect, removing all that is wet, bloody, unruly, and animal, from mass imaginations of the biotech future. As I argue this vision of biotechnology (as it is presented to non-specialists) may serve to nullify public engagement in the complex ethical dilemmas that arise from engaging in technologies of the body. (RE)embodying Biotechnology focuses. on reuniting notions of embodiment with the language, analysis, practice, and representation of contemporary biotechnologies. With a social and political mandate that advocates informed public discourse, (RE)embodying Biotechnology complicates, rather than simplify our understanding of the biotech field. Methodologically, I propose artistic means for non-specialists to engage in biotechnology as an embodied practice through the mobilization of a 'critical participatory methodology'. (RE)embodying Biotechnology is a research I creation thesis; comprised of the documentation of a body of work and a text that reflects on how artistic engagement in the biotechnological field may allow for non-specialists to engage critically with evolving biotechnologies

INCUBATOR Art Lab: Reimagining Biotech Futures through Integrated Laboratory Practices

INCUBATOR Art Lab is an art and science research laboratory at the University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. This image/text document explores the invisible integrated laboratory practices developed within INCUBATOR Art Lab that reimagining how scientific research is conducted within institutional settings towards more joyful and inclusive biotech futures. The piece describes new modes of engaging with institutional bureaucracy, designing infrastructure, and community-building efforts that are central to how INCUBATOR Art Lab functions as a feminist bioart laboratory.

INCUBATOR Lab: Com reimaginar un futur biotecnològic per mitjà de la investigació en l'art i la ciència

INCUBATOR: El Laboratori Híbrid en la intersecció d'Art, Ciència i Ecologia és una eina per a la investigació del bioart i per a l'ensenyament que es troba a l'Escola d'Arts Creatives de la Universitat de Windsord al Canadà. Fundat el 2009 per la Dr. Jennifer Willet, INCUBATOR alberga projectes de bioart d'alumnes, investigacions sobre estudis de ciències i tecnologia i esdeveniments especials que investiguen la intersecció de biotecnologia, art i ecologia. Aquest article descriu els seus lectors la premissa conceptual fonamental de les activitats de laboratori d'INCUBATOR i el complex entramat ecològic entre les pràctiques de laboratori contemporani i la nostra ecologia planetària com un exemple per a elucidar el procés d'investigació/creació que entra en joc al laboratori

Community Correctional Agents\u27 Views of Medication-Assisted Treatment: Examining their Influence on Treatment Referrals and Community Supervision Practices.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol and opioid use disorders are common among adults under community supervision. While several medications (medication assisted treatment or MAT) are FDA-approved to treat such disorders, they are underutilized with this population despite established effectiveness at decreasing substance use. This paper examines how community correctional agents\u27 understanding of addiction and views of MAT influence their professional actions regarding addiction medications. METHODS: A total of 118 semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with community correctional agents taking part in the CJ-DATS MATICCE implementation study across 20 parole/probation offices in nine US states. Using grounded theory methodology and an iterative analytic approach, issues of role perception, views of MAT, current treatment referral and community supervisions practices were explored. RESULTS: Agents often had limited autonomy to make direct treatment referrals, regardless of their views of MAT, as they were required to follow court orders and their organization\u27s policies and procedures. Within some organizations community correctional agents held sufficient autonomy to make direct treatment referrals, with agents struggling to reconcile their desire to support their clients who needed MAT with concerns about the abuse potential of opioid agonist medications. Viewing MAT as a treatment of last resort was counterbalanced by the view that it was an effective evidence-based practice. Agents described how MAT impacted their ability to supervise clients and how their knowledge and understanding of MAT was directly influenced by watching their clients who were successful or unsuccessful on MAT. Even those agents who were more accepting of MAT were largely unsupportive of it long-term use. CONCLUSIONS: Community correctional agents\u27 views of MAT were influenced by their understanding of addiction as well as their experiences supervising clients receiving treatment with medications, but whether or not MAT referrals were made was not always within their control

STATE FARM: TALK TO AN AGENT

Established in 1922, State Farm has become a trustworthy, reliable company that prides itself on the dedication of its agents and their ability to provide personalized insurance policies. Even though State Farm leads the insurance industry, the company is struggling to gain customers in the 18-25 year old demographic. As a part of this demographic, many of us were guilty of quickly purchasing our insurance policies online. We thought that we had the coverage we needed — that was before we talked to an agent. In one hour, local State Farm agent Vincon Krikac changed 25 minds. We learned how little we actually knew and how necessary it is to have an agent. Our peers are no more informed about insurance than we were. Simple questions like, “What’s the difference between liability and collision?” were difficult for them to answer. We knew that if we could give the target audience a glimpse of what we experienced, they would want to talk to a State Farm agent, too. Our research led us to build creative executions that work with media to make our campaign engage the target audience and encourage them to contact a State Farm agent. Our “Talk to an Agent” campaign highlights what the target audience doesn’t know about insurance and illustrates how to fi nd the answers to their questions. This campaign ensures State Farm will remain the market leader in the insurance industry and gain new customers in the 18-25 year old demographic. It works because it illustrates the key benefit of State Farm Insurance—the agent

Articule : 2001-2002

This collection of six booklets presents the 2001-2002 programme of Articule gallery. The first booklet includes the exhibitions, activities and special projects (book launchings, Web projects, sound and performance, in situ exhibitions, fundraising events). The five other booklets document the exhibitions held in the main gallery space and in the media arts room. Texts in French and English. Biographical notes. 2 bibl. ref