American artist Gabe Barcia-Colombo raises awareness on the issues surrounding biotechnology in a recent art installation. The installation, titled the DNA Vending Machine, dispenses packaged DNA to its viewer. The DNA samples in the vending machine are a collection of Barcia-Colombo’s friends’ DNA which he extracted for this project. Various specimens of their DNA are sealed in mini bottles and are packaged with a collectible photo of the donor and a unique link to a custom extraction video. Barcia-Colombo presents the ethical issues over the ownership of one’s own DNA, individuality and society’s loss of privacy. If accessing a vial of DNA was as simple as slotting in coins to dispense it from a vending machine, imagine how easy it is for people to abuse such privileges.

Learn more about Gabe Barcia-Colombo Here! 

Images taken from gabebc.com