Tiger Penis Project
Hybrid animal organs for use in Chinese medicine
The Tiger Penis Project is a speculative design that proposes using synthetic biology to create organs that can replace the animal products used in traditional Chinese medicine, including parts from endangered species. The project envisions a "win-win" situation for conservationists and for people who practice Chinese medicine, by exploring ways to harness new technologies to create an alternative source of animal products for use in the traditional recipes. The designer, Kuang-Yi Ku, proposes creating bespoke animal parts that would be combined with combinations of herbs to treat individual patients. Although the animal parts are speculative, the designer worked with traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to create real herbal formulas to complement them. The project is named after the tiger penis as tigers were often referenced in criticism of Chinese medicine in western media that Ku had observed.