Kuang-Yi Ku

Department: Social Design
Website: www.kukuangyi.com

TIGER PENIS PROJECT

WHAT
Exploring the potential of emerging biotechnology to create artificial animal parts for use in traditional Chinese medicine. This would avoid putting more wild animals in danger.

WHY
There is a huge demand for wild animal parts in traditional Chinese medicine, which forms a real threat to conservation. Yet, it is a shame to write off thousands of years of medical practice, believes Kuang- Yi Ku.

HOW
Instead of killing wild animals, why not grow the part required in a lab? Or perhaps consider merging elements from Asian and Western traditions together, such as a tiger penis and an oyster — both believed to increase libido. In this way, Kuang-Yi proposes to bridge the conflict between cultural heritage and the environment.

QUOTE
Traditional Chinese medicine can still be valuable.