Fuzzy Biological Sabotage

The Critical Art Ensemble has created a website in which different groups and organizations can have a space to advertise their position on new biotechnology techniques and theories. They justify their mission by saying that it is "Fuzzy Biological Sabotage," meaning that they take up a position on the boarder line between two polar positions, and rely on the reactions of the public to decide which way the movement will continue. In other words, they have evenly presented the websites of groups with different opinions about biotechnology, and hope that visitors to the site will be inspired to start a dialogue with their peers about their own thoughts. CAE seems to be bipartisan on the subject, stating that they only want to "slow the current molecular invasion."  

The CAE also is experimenting with the line between science and art. They gave the associated organizations similar virtual spaces through which to share their opinions. The reactions of visitors to the  site will draw conclusions as to which advertising techniques are most effective in today's society. Some of the groups, such as Marching Plague, use alternative forms of expression, such as video and a museum installation to make their point about fear and bioterrorism. Other websites rely on strong emotional appeals to connect to their viewers. The Society for Reproductive Anachronisms uses a jarring sketch of a couple engaging in sexual intercourse to grab the attention of the audience. Uses of emotional visual stimuli in this arena are very effective because they serve to alert people of their true feelings on a subject. When people are shown a strong source image, they are forced to take a stance. The CAE welcomes this use of controversial imagery  in order to get people talking. 

Each of the organizations chosen by the CAE represents a different point of view. I believe that the CAE chose organizations that were not perfect, and had obvious flaws regardless of how which position you look at it from. The imperfection of the site leads to more discussion, and more emotion regarding the issue, which is the purpose of the site as a whole.