Essay. help proof reading.

In this new day and age, biotechnology has become a popular approach to developing and altering an individual’s genotype (Glenn, 2004). While the new technology vastly improves in many areas, controversies and the questions of ethics approach start to emerge, and soon reach a point where there is discrimination against those who are imperfect; who were not as wealthy as the superiors to afford such a procedure. Such an example can be found in the movie ‘GATTACA’ written by Andrew Niccol in 1997.



In GATTACA, biotechnology has achieved perfection in genetic engineering; where children are no longer born, but rather ‘produced’ with the gene combinations of the parents’ decision along with a counselor’s to hand down. The story suggests that genetic engineering would allow for Genoism – discrimination based on an individual’s genes; not only in how we look, but also which people will become vulnerable to specific disorders and diseases .



‘It’s illegal to discriminate’ stated the protagonist, Vincent Anton Freeman, in the modern world of GATTACA - but since no one takes the laws seriously, genoism is very common. Every genetic disorder or disease is certain to be tested before an individual becomes a ‘valid’; a genetic superior, worthy of becoming a part of a world organization.

Since the very beginning of Vincent’s life, when he had first entered the genetically enhanced world, his life expectancy and disease likelihoods had been ascertained by a single DNA blood sample test. He had been treated differently, as though he was sick, disabled and unequal to those among him; ‘from an early age, I became to think of myself as others did; chronically ill. Every skinned knee and runny nose was treated as if were life threatening’ (Vincent). This had been the very first moment in GATTACA, that ‘genoism’ had been present in the film. This was followed by how genetic engineering had advanced to where a child could be ‘produced’ with the genes of choice.

In the film GATTACA, the counselor discusses the four genetically ‘produced’ embryos that are simply the best of Vincent’s parent’s genes. These four led on to be picked for the one child that fits the caregiver’s conceivable needs and desires.



In that same early scene of Gattaca, Vincent’s mother and father were given the opportunity to meet with the counselor, in order to discuss their available options for Anton, their future son and Vincent’s brother-to-be. After choosing many genetic modifications for Anton, the parents then reconsider leaving some characteristics to chance, although later convinced Anton would still be them, but only the best of them. During Vincent’s quest to enter Gattaca, a whole new level of the technology is revealed, in a way that in such a society where such techniques are available, even interviews are abnormal; they are conducted in order to assess one’s genetic code, not man’s determination or character. Valids are seen as ones of ‘perfection’ – genetically engineered for a special pathway or purpose; although, not all ‘valids’ are blessed or captivated to what they are born with; as seen in the film GATTACA, the pianist has not five, but 6 fingers on each hand, living an abnormal life to the people around him.



Possible social implications are revealed throughout the film; in a world such as Gattaca, the birth and quality of a population’s genes would impact on how the human race could be split into two or more distinct classes - one viewing itself as ‘superior’, while the others are the ‘faith births’ or ‘inferiors’ that do not hold the physique or genes required for this high-class world.

But along with the genetically engineered child, also comes a price tag, which doesn’t come welcoming to those whom cannot afford the procedure; similar to Irene, who has a relatively high rate for heart disorder (similar to Vincent).



Promoting this film was the filming techniques that were brought across the film, making every scene look as interesting and attractive as possible; panning and close-up shots made clear visible shots of the characters and objects. The film was put together powerfully with large components such as props and special effects, not only to gain attraction from the audience to the storyline, but also support that this was a time where genetic based technology (biotechnology); similar to blood sample technology having the ability to harvest blood into a vessel which allows identification, booths which allow customer DNA testing; was available and was strictly used in the society.

Many shots and scenes filmed, such as where Vincent shaves off his excessive body hair and cuts his fingernails in the incinerator (near beginning of GATTACA); effortlessly gave away that this film correlated with DNA and the Human body. This was also communicated through several other scenes of the movie.



The film GATTACA has effectively portrayed the ethical questions with biotechnology by designing this futuristic story, in which implications for biotechnology are shown throughout. The film has appropriately displayed the issues with genetic engineering and how it might affect our social levels as the people of Earth.