The Biblical account of the temptation of Adam and Even is reinterpreted in the context of 20th century technological and scientific advancements. It questions mankind’s seemingly unquenchable thirst for knowledge and also warns of the destructive potential of the misuse of knowledge driven by political and economic greed in absence of moral conscience.

In particular it addresses the more recent debates concerning genetic engineering (symbolised by the unravelling strands of DNA that hang from the branches of the tree of knowledge). The image offers a counter position to the argument that research into this area can be controlled and that the possible abuse of its application kept in check. Hand grenades - which replace the apple, the traditional fruit of forbidden knowledge - along with the atomic mushroom cloud seen on the horizon signify the repeated lessons of past human experience where so called ‘advancement’ in science and technology have inevitably always been used by those in power to cause more harm and suffering than good - both to human life and the environment. Money, as the root cause of this manifestation of evil, is symbolised by the serpent’s belly which is lined with gold coins.

The loss of paradise, therefore, is interpreted not as a theological concept relevant only to the Christian context but as a continuing reality of the here and now.

 

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