Alba may seem like a generic carrot-munching, albino rabbit, but putting her under ultra violet rays would prove otherwise. Glowing bright green, Alba transforms from an average household pet to a creature more suited to the realms of science fiction. However, due to the rapid advancements in science and technology, the existence of a bright green rabbit is no longer otherworldly.

            Eduardo Kac, a pioneer in transgenic artwork and assistant professor of art and technology at the School of Art Institute of Chicago, had two goals: one was to “reveal the cultural implications of the [genetic] revolution underway and offer different ways of thinking about and with biotechnology” and the other was to demonstrate the integration of family life, biotechnology, and “social domain of public opinion” [1]. With those objectives in mind, Kac entreated scientists at the National Institute of Agronomic Research in France to create a glowing rabbit for one of his art exhibits featuring green fluorescent protein (GFP) technology. French geneticist Louis-Marie Houdebine headed the GFP bunny project. Houdebine and his fellow scientists produced Alba via zygote microinjection, which is a process that involves extracting the fluorescent protein from a species of fluorescent jellyfish called Aequorea victoria and enhancing the glowing properties of the protein before inserting it into a fertilized rabbit egg cell [2]. In February 2000, Alba entered the world as the “GFP Bunny” [1].

            Immediately, news of the creation of Alba sparked protests and debate regarding Kac’s project. Despite Kac’s initial intentions to take Alba home, Houdebine refrained from releasing Alba from the laboratory, fearing incitement of further protests among several reasons. Up until her inexplicable, nebulous death in 2002, Alba remained inside the laboratory [3]. Houdebine issued a statement claiming she died “without any reason” and then reassured the public that her death was commonplace by mentioning the fact that “rabbits die often” and she was “about four years old, which is a normal lifespan in [his] facilities” [4]. He denied any connection between the GFP gene and her death. However, Kac believed her death to be a hoax Houdebine used to reduce public attention and to avoid having Kac bring Alba home [4]. Kac also pointed out that Alba was two-and-a-half, not four, at the time of her supposed death, which would counter Houdebine’s assertion that she had a “normal lifespan,” raising questions about the details of the disappearance of this glowing rabbit [4].

            Alba was not the first animal to undergo zygote microinjection of GFP. In 1997, Japanese scientists created glowing mice [5]. So why was the creation of Alba especially controversial? Although scientists had already injected GFP into mammals such as mice prior to the creation of the GFP bunny, their experiments had been for scientific purposes to study biological processes and diseases rather than for artwork. Some believed Alba to be a victim of animal abuse since she had no say in her participation in Kac’s project, while others feared the impact of releasing Alba into natural ecosystems and allowing her to reproduce. To some, tampering with the genes of an animal as an artistic statement seems unnecessary. Woodland Hastings, a biologist at Harvard and the co-discoverer of the jellyfish’s glowing gene, called Kac’s project “frivolous,” reasoning that “there are many more important things” that can be done with the glowing gene [6]. Genetic engineering was formally a domain that consisted of only scientists with the intent of improving the quality of human life; however, galvanized by the advancements in science and technology, it may turn into a domain where anyone can carry out their whims.

            Nevertheless, on the other hand, one can argue that Kac’s project and other works of transgenic art serve to prompt essential debates over animal rights and bring animal cruelty issues into the spotlight. The public’s awareness and attention was re-focused on questions regarding legal and moral boundaries of genetic engineering and animal experimentation when news of Alba’s creation went viral. While animal cruelty laws are in place in the United States, some nations do not rigidly reinforce or even have laws fighting for animal rights, allowing experiments like Alba to be performed.

            Moreover, Alba provides a marker in the development of science and technology. In 1973, the first genetically engineered organisms were produced; now, 38 years later, science and technology has advanced to the point where people are able to produce transgenic artwork [7].

 Kac opened the eyes of the general public and helped people realize that genetic engineering is not as otherworldly as people may have imagined it to be. Instead, it can be in the form of a bunny that behaves “like any other rabbit” and needs the same things [1]. However, Alba also highlights the more chilling aspects of the progress of science and technology. The age-old concern of tampering too much with nature resurfaces. Has Kac’s desire to manipulate genes crossed the line? Are scientists wielding too much influence with the power to alter nature for the ‘benefit’ of humanity?  As Mary Shelley so aptly concluded in Frankenstein, "How much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to be greater than his nature will allow” [8].

About the Author

 Emily Chu is currently a junior at the Harker School located in San Jose, California. She contributes to the school’s newspaper and participates in research as well. Her specific area of interest is neurology, and she volunteers at clinics that aided people with autism and Parkinson’s disease. She is also a major animal lover and has a wide range of pets including a dog, two turtles, and fish. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, reading, jogging, playing basketball, drawing, and playing with her dog.

References

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3. Kac E. GFP bunny. Leonardo 2003; 36(2):97-102.

1. Philipkoski K. RIP: Alba, the glowing bunny, Wired. 2002 Aug 12.

1. Onion A. Artist’s glowing, live rabbit creation causes fuss, ABC News. 2000 Sept 19.

1. Phillips T. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Transgenic crops and recombinant

DNA technology. Nature Education 2008; 1(1).

1. Klein K. The transgenic mouse [Internet]. Washington: University of Washington; 1996

 Nov. Available from: http://www.washington.edu/research/pathbreakers/1982b.html 

1. Shelley M. Frankenstein. 3rd ed. Hunter R, editor. New York: W.W. Norton &

 Company; 1996.