In a recently published TED talk that he gave in August 2013, artist Gabriel Barcia-Colombo presented a special vending machine that he has made—it sells DNA samples that he has collected from his friends.
After discovering a technique for enlarging DNA strands, he started wondering if people would one day buy—or sell—their own genetic code in easily accessible vending machines.
With the help of some friends, he turned this idea into reality—these vending machines are stocked with vials that contain the unique DNA strands of the participating individuals.
The photograph on each box lets the buyer know how the owner of that particular DNA strand looks like.
If you are wondering what one can do with a stranger’s DNA, you may be inspired by artist Heather Dewey-Hagborg, who turned DNA she found on discarded gum and cigarette butts into realistic facial sculptures.
Do you think you would ever sell your DNA at a vending machine? Watch Barcia-Colombo’s fascinating TED talk below.
[via The Creators Project]