DNA Tattooing for Constitution Anniversary - Nationwide Initiative - German Administration Urged to Present Plan for Worker Radiation Risk Safeguard Directive
Art Action Marks Germany's Basic Law Anniversary - Nationwide Initiative
Top German politicians will receive a unique ink commemorating the 76th anniversary of the Basic Law, accompanied by a nationwide media and book campaign featuring celebrity endorsements. The ink contains a miniaturized text of the Basic Law, first announced on May 23, 1949, in its current version. Cities such as Wiesbaden, Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, and others, will display posters reminding citizens of the importance of democracy and the constitution in Germany.
The initiative, called the "DNA of Democracy," is a collaboration between media professionals, artists, and scientists, as spokesman Daniel Koller told the German Press Agency in Wiesbaden. The group initially presented the symbolic ink to the then Rhineland-Palatinate Minister President Malu Dreyer (SPD) in Berlin on the 75th birthday of the Basic Law in May 2024. Expanding on the previous year's effort, they are now producing a new ink to include this year's constitutional amendment and securing participation from ministers of the new black-red federal government. "Discussions are underway, and we are optimistic," says Koller. "We have already received a commitment from the North Rhine-Westphalian Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) and other notable public figures."
Linda Zervakis, who focuses on freedom of the press and opinion, is a participant in a later planned "Friendship Book of Democracy." In this book, 146 personalities are to express their perspectives on democracy in handwriting using the special "DNA ink." Seventy-six of them are already contributing to the current media campaign, including their social media channels, which aspects they would symbolically expand the Basic Law.
Zervakis emphasizes that "fundamental rights, particularly freedom of the press and opinion, must not be exploited to disseminate politically motivated disinformation, for example." Telekom CEO Tim Höttges outlines the responsibility of mitigating hate and incitement online by suggesting the addition of Article 1: "The dignity of man is inviolable. This also applies on the internet."
The origin of the "DNA of Democracy" action remains unclear, as specific details about this event or project seem not to be widely documented or recognized. However, it is non-partisan and non-commercial, with more than 65,000 euros already raised through crowdfunding.
As part of the creative process, scientists collaborated to store the Basic Law in a DNA sequence and translate it into the DNA coding ACTG. This was then built, multiplied, and encapsulated to create DNA ink. This method is known as DNA Data Storage, a creative approach to storing data using DNA molecules.
- The initiative, dubbed the "DNA of Democracy," involves a collaboration between media professionals, artists, and scientists, as stated by Daniel Koller.
- Science plays a significant role in the "DNA of Democracy" project, as the Basic Law is stored in a DNA sequence and translated into the DNA coding ACTG to create DNA ink.
- In the context of the project, health and wellness, lifestyle, and technology are relevant as the DNA ink is being used in a media and book campaign, of which participants express their perspectives on democracy through their social media channels.
- Education and self-development, general news, and entertainment are involved in the campaign as well, with 146 personalities, including Linda Zervakis, contributing to a "Friendship Book of Democracy," and Telekom CEO Tim Höttges emphasizing the importance of freedom of the press and opinion in the digital age.
