Elio Caccavale, Richard Ashcroft, Queen Mary, University of London, Michael Reiss, Institute of Education, University of London

Xenotransplant, from the Hybrids: Towards a New Typology of Beings and Animal Products ProjectMyBio Xenotransplant

2005

Fireproof nylon and polyester stuffing

Not on view

"MyBio is a collection of toys exploring the emergence of biological hybrids in biotechnologies, as well as our moral, social, cultural, and personal response to these transhuman creatures," explains Caccavale. Through the "milk thread" attached to its udder, MyBio-reactor Cow refers in a graphic way to the use of cow milk in pharmaceuticals. MyBio Spider Goat demonstrates the famous 2001 experiment in which goats' chromosomes were manipulated to include a spider gene so that their mammary glands would produce a strand of silk three times tougher than Kevlar. The two MyBio Xenotransplant dolls, MyBio Boy and MyBio Pig (on view here), demonstrate the physical transfer of an organ from animal to human, while MyBio Bunny and MyBio Jellyfish display scientists' use of green fluorescent protein in monitoring gene expression in living organisms.

Gallery label from

Born out of Necessity, March 2, 2012–January 28, 2013.

Medium Fireproof nylon and polyester stuffing
Dimensions .a (boy): 7 1/2 x 6 1/4 x 17 3/4" (19.1 x 15.9 x 45.1 cm) .b (pig): 7 1/2 x 9 7/8 x 11 3/4" (19.1 x 25.1 x 29.8 cm)
Credit Gift of the designers
Object number SC488.2008.a-b
Department Architecture & Design

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