DNAInfo Features Heather Dewey-Hagborg's DNA Phenotyping Technology-based Work

DNAinfo recently featured the work of SAIC’s Department of Art and Technology Studies faculty member Heather Dewey-Hagborg. Her recent work Stranger Visions uses DNA phenotyping technology to re-create facial sculptures of individuals based on the DNA extracted from found items such as a discarded cigarette butt or piece of gum. The works are intended to be accurate likenesses based on the use of DNA extraction, facial recognition, and 3D printing technologies. Dewey-Hagborg says her true motivation is to get people thinking about the fact that genetic surveillance is moving from science fiction to reality. According to Dewey-Hagborg, "law enforcement is pushing hard to develop phenotyping technology. What do we think of that? With everything in science, there's potential and there's risk. Phenotyping can be used for good or for bad. We need to decide how this will be used in our society. It's up to us to sort out where the potential separates from the risk. What are we OK with culturally, what are we not OK with?"

Image from article: Andy Roesgen/DNAinfo