I dropped by the Royal Institution of Great Britain near Green Park for the private view of the exhibition of "Crossing Over: Exchanges in Art Biotechnologies." The exhibition examines how biotech research could generate new scenarios and perspectives. The seven projects shown in this building of scientific curiosities discuss the fear and potential of genetic manipulation using a range of media and art forms.

Perhaps it was the wine, but for some reason, Vicki and I got rather giggly.

We sat in an auditorium watching a film with scenes of people illuminated by bacteria. Dr J, a bona fide scientist in, bounced in excitedly and watched the screen.

After a few minutes he asked somewhat disappointedly, "But where is the bacteria?"

That set us off.

Vicki: Apparently, the way it's made is that the people sit in a booth with the bacteria.
Me: So they're exposed to it?
Vicki: Yes. After around 48 hours, it dies anyway.
Me: The people?!!! I thought it's friendly bacteria!
Vicki: No, the bacteria dies!

I'm afraid not much dignity was recouped after that. You'd never know I took Pure Physics, Pure Chemistry and Pure Biology for my O Levels.

The exhibition was pretty interesting, but the building itself was even more fascinating with its culture of scientific eccentricity. We wandered along hallways of ceiling to floor bookshelves, past alcoves of glass cabinets and up curved stairwells hung with chandeliers.

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