Analysis Of Bovine Abominations

This week’s articles, Bovine Abominations: Genetic Culture and Politics in the Netherlands by Karen-Sue Taussig and Bodies, Commodities, & Biotechnologies by Leslie Sharp illustrate the “tie between genetics and identity” (Taussig 2004: 309). It is in human nature to believe that we all have a personality, thoughts, and emotions that make us human. Anything that is not of human origin is considered to be a tool for dehumanization. That is why this idea of xenotransplants and biotechnologies does not sit right with my stomach. I feel as though the more developed the field becomes, the more it will become a path of destruction. Sharp poses some thought provoking questions in regards to the future of biotechnology that must be addressed: “Can, or should, our bodies be melded with those of monkeys or pigs?" (Sharp 2007: 104) “What will become of our species if we allow such technological transgressions to breach the body's assumed "natural" boundaries?" (104) and “What social dangers lurk in such forms of scientific tampering?” (105). Before I answer these questions, I want to pose one of my own: Why …show more content…
As Taussig (2004) states, "culture itself lies in the processes through which people make connections between the various ideas available to them in a given context" (308). Although it is widely criticized now, it is likely that the transplants would be normalized in the future when people realize that it is able to keep others alive just like kidney transplants. Another danger is the potential for a black market to exist that sells animal organs. Not only would animals be unethically killed, but the black market itself is an issue. People would seek corrupted doctors willing to perform the surgery for money and would not receive the proper medical care. As proved by Sharp (2007), constant medical attention would be needed and this is not something that they would likely have access