The third episode of the DIYSECT web-series highlights discussions surrounding the emerging field of transgenics, and the artist and scientists who are provoking them. Synthetic Biology is making its way into the consumer market, evidenced by the Kickstarter-funded Glowing Plants project. This has created a backlash with technology watchdog groups like the ETC, who fear its release will have damaging effects on the environment. The episode also features artist Adam Zaretsky who uses performance to push the boundaries on what is commonly perceived as frightening and disgusting to the public in biotechnological advancements. His work takes advantage of its controversial nature to propel a wider discussion on what is ethical in the field of synthetic biology. The episode also looks at the public’s relationship with genetically modified organisms, and how corporate manipulation has created general mistrust in the public sphere.

Fear of the Unknown features:

Rob Carlson (Author of "Biology is Technology")

Omri Drory-Amirov (Founder of Genome Compiler)

Antony Evans (Glowing Plants)

Andrew Hessel (Distinguished Researcher at Autodesk)

Derek Jacoby (Founder of Victoria's Biospace)

Richard Pell (Director of the Center for PostNatural History)

Claire Pentecost (artist & writer)

Michael Scroggins (writer & anthropologist)

Kyle Taylor (Glowing Plants)

Adam Zaretsky (artist, VivoArts School for Transgenic Aesthetics, Ltd.)

Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20160403091006/www.diysect.com/learninginpublic