Pukyong National University

Genetically modified glofish developed by PKNU are exhibited at the national museum of contemporary art Busan

- ‘The uncanny world’ from 14th~19th

The genetically modified (GM) fluorescent fish from Pukyong National University (President Jang Young-Soo) have finally showed themselves at the Museum of contemporary art (Hadan-dong, Busan).

The fish in an art gallery? How come?

Opened in 2018, the Museum of contemporary art Busan, located in Eulsukdo, Saha-gu, Busan, is a space for cultural enjoyment through various exhibitions and art education, including nature, new media, and media art with human agendas.

Genetically modified fluorescent fish developed by Pukyong National University were invited to the ‘The uncanny world’ exhibition held here.

The museum put a message in this exhibition to pay attention to the 'Unheimlich' of society in general after the corona pandemic, and to pay attention to the unfamiliarity of the transition period by using this sense instead of trying to ignore anxiety.

Among the 11 contemporary artworks from 4 countries selected for this exhibition, American artist Lynn Hershman Leeson exhibited an installation piece titled ‘Infinity engine (2014-15)’ that raises awareness of the double-face of biotechnology, however, genetically engineered glofish, which was one of the compositions of the work was excluded from the exhibition.

This is because their import and distribution are strictly restricted in Korea due to the living modified organism act (LMO Act) on the movement of genetically modified organisms between countries. At this time, Pukyong National University was the place where the museum requested help to improve the completeness of the exhibition.

Pukyong National University developed genetically modified fluorescent fish for the first time in Korea in 2010 with genetic modification technology. This fish can be used for ornamental purposes and monitoring of the marine environment. Pukyong National University is also the only marine and fisheries LMO risk assessment institute in Korea.

President Jang Young-Soo and professor Nam Yoon-Kwon (director of the LMO risk assessment institute, major of aquaculture and applied life sciences) actively cooperated with the museum of contemporary art's request to publicize the university's research achievements and provide citizens with an opportunity to see genetically modified organisms.

In this way, about 100 genetically modified fluorescent fish from Pukyong National University showed their bright and colorful appearance to the gallery. An exhibition on genetically modified fluorescent fish developed by Pukyong National University will be held from February 14 to 19 in the Gallery 1 on the 1st floor of the Museum of contemporary art Busan.

Along with this, on February 18 at 2:00 pm, professor Nam Yoon-Kwon will host a lecture titled ‘The Secret of GM ‘Marine Medaka’’ in conjunction with the exhibition to introduce trends and prospects of genetic manipulation technology.

The LMO risk assessment institute in Pukyong National University is nurturing experts in the field of genetically modified organisms such as fluorescent fish and plans to continue efforts to apply various research results to the industry. <Pukyong Today>