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Na sequência de uma busca levada a cabo pelo FBI, este membro do colectivo Critical Art Ensemble (de que a Virose já publicou um texto há algum tempo atrás), foi acusado da posse de materiais susceptíveis de serem usados numa acção de bioterrorismo. Na verdade tratava-se apenas de material destinado a ser utilizado em projectos artísticos ligados à manipulação biotecnológica, como é público para quem conhece o trabalho do CAE (ver http:http://www.critical-art.net). As amostras descobertas no laboratório/atelier de Steve Kurtz são banais e idênticas às que se encontram em qualquer laboratório de muitas instituições universitárias.
A virose decidiu publicar o texto em inglês de uma das cartas de apoio a Steve Kurtz , associando-se assim a todos os seus subscritores.
Para assinar a carta de apoio http://flatearth.media.mit.edu/letter_sign.html
Mais informações em http://www.caedefensefund.org/
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We want to underline our concern regarding the current persecution of Steve Kurtz, founding member of the arts collective, Critical Art Ensemble. A Grand Jury has been convened at the behest of the FBI with the intent to collect evidence needed to indict Kurtz on charges of possessing biological materials that could be used for purposes of bioterrorism. In fact, it was material to be used on their well known art projects addressing the politics of information, communications and biotechnology. (see http:http://www.critical-art.net. The samples of bacteria found with Kurtz's lab are among the most common harmless strains used in educational institutions everywhere.
There is a support letter avalilable to be subscribed at http://flatearth.media.mit.edu/letter_sign.html
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To whom it may concern,
The current persecution of Steve Kurtz, founding member of the arts collective, Critical Art Ensemble, requires our immediate and unqualified response. A Grand Jury has been convened at the behest of the FBI with the intent to collect evidence needed to indict Kurtz on charges of possessing biological materials that could be used for purposes of bioterrorism. We also support others drawn into the case: since May 30th six subpoenas have been issued to CAE members and other artists to appear before a grand jury on June 15th in Buffalo, NY: Adele Henderson, Chair of the Art Department at UB; Andrew Johnson, Professor of Art at UB; Paul Vanouse, Professor of Art at UB; Beatriz da Costa, Professor of Art at UCI; Steven Barnes, FSU; and Dorian Burr (Added June 7th, 2004 3:00PM EST).
An artist acting entirely within his legal rights to openly conduct public research on issues of biotechnology that affect all of us is being treated like a criminal. The freedom to participate in specialized fields in a manner opening them up to public scrutiny has become basic to democracy in a techno-scientific society. The right of a group of individuals to legally acquire and share knowledge relevant to contemporary life is now jeopardized.
For almost two decades Critical Art Ensemble has produced and internationally exhibited art which addresses the politics of information, communications and biotechnology. They have published five books and countless essays, and have been translated into thirteen languages. Kurtz himself taught at Carnegie Mellon University for nine years and is currently Associate Professor at the State University of New York's University at Buffalo.
Critical Art Ensemble has very publicly and legally performed scientific processes to demystify them and make them accessible to audiences. "Free Range Grains," CAE's latest project, includes a mobile DNA extraction laboratory for testing food products for possible transgenic contamination. This and other equipment has been confiscated by the FBI although field and laboratory tests have shown that Kurtz's equipment was not used for any illegal purpose, nor is it possible to use this equipment for the production or weaponization of dangerous germs. Furthermore, any person in the US may legally obtain and possess such equipment. The samples of bacteria found with Kurtz's lab are among the most common harmless strains used in educational institutions everywhere.
The implication of the current charges against Kurtz, given what we know about the evidence, is that it is illegal for a citizen to possess materials commonly used for research in legitimate institutions everywhere. If we allow the government to call this terrorism, the effects will be felt not only by artists, academics, amateur scientists and researchers of all kinds but will exacerbate the chill already being felt by institutional scientific research. Over the past two years, many prestigious organizations of professional scientists have already issued statements warning that the increasing restraints on academic freedom are counterproductive to our nation's security.
We insist that charges against Steve Kurtz be dropped before this prosecution does more damage to the values we most wish to protect.
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