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DIYbio and Action Research
Blog post by Stefano Golinelli
Do-it-yourself biology (DIYbio), or biohacking, refers to a set of techniques used to transform biotechnological experimentations into a worthwhile pursuit for lay citizens. Its representations in the media often revolve around the much hyped and unsettling image of unaccompanied youngsters cracking the code of life in their garage. Our paper, instead, provides a significantly different account.
Above all, the code of life is not the primary target of DIYbioers. Rather, biohackers strive to crack the ivory tower of science, as it is performed and conceived in mainstream academic and corporate environments. Furthermore, we see biohacking much more as a collective movement than as a hobby for individuals. The crucial role of community practices suggests indeed that DIYbio essence can be much better captured as do-it-with others biology.
And yet, why write about DIYbio and Action Research (AR)?
Simply put, we believe that these approaches are extremely similar; to an extent that one may even conceive DIYbio as a specific form of AR in the world of labs, cells, and genes. With examples from initiatives in Indonesia, we will try to defend this by illustrating biohacking’s fit with the pragmatist philosophy and the golden standards for “good” AR.
In our article, we contend that biohacking goes beyond AR in acknowledging the influence of objects in our lives, and the consequent need for emancipatory endeavors to focus on material dimensions as much as on social ones. Whereas the biotech debate has long been entrapped in a sterile, pro-contra debate, biohacking tools and practices finally offer the possibility to engage in the construction of alternative, bottom-up biotechnological products. We conclude that mutual engagement between DIYbio and AR communities would enrich both perspectives, and hold a tremendous potential for the transformation of the life sciences to come.
For an introduction to HackteriaLab 2014, check out this video trailer showing snippets of the two week, making-oriented gathering of researchers, artists, scientists, academicians, and hackers in Yogyakarta.
What are your thoughts on DIYBio and AR? Are we headed in the right direction? How can AR and DIYBio encourage alternative, bottom-up biotechnological products? Or should it?
You can access this article for free for the next 30 days by using THIS LINK.
After you’ve had a chance to read this piece, please share your thoughts, ideas, or experiences with our community so we can continue this discussion! The AR+ site is hosting a discussion forum for us to talk about our reactions and experiences related this topic. You can access the discussion forum HERE.
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Columbia Embury
www.wright.edu
www.wright.edu
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