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“GATTACA” is one of the many sequences of nucleic bases found in the human genome. DNA is composed of four bases, Adenine (A), Guanine (G), Thymine (T), and Cystine (C), which are the letters that “GATTACA” is composed of. This title reflects upon the focus of GATTACA on eugenics and genetic manipulation. Eugenics and Genetic Prejudice GATTACA examines the possible consequences of practicing eugenics, and it focuses on the realistic likelihood of resultant genetic discrimination. As predicted possibility by many opponents of genetic engineering, the society of GATTACA has been split into the “genetically rich and the genetically poor” (James 168). The “in-valids”, those who have not been genetically enhanced, are stripped of any promising future. Told that he will most likely die by the age of thirty because of a heart disorder, Vincent's future is taken out of his control by society, because they automatically determine his capabilities by his genetic code. We follow Vincent as he struggles with the fact that his dreams of traveling into space can never be fulfilled, because he has an imperfect genetic code. In this society, desirable jobs are given according to one's genetic code, rather than being based upon ability or effort. Like race and gender prejudice, this discrimination is based on a quality out of one’s control. Individuals have been robbed of the freedom to determine their own future. This movie raises important questions about human nature. From either a religious or secular perspective, there are problems with the ethics of genetic manipulation. Although it is clear that we are “more than the sum of our genes” (Bryant 2), as Ronald Cole Turner of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary explained, “[w]e are organic beings. The true self, the person, the soul is very much connected to the organism” (2). Although we do have control over what we do with our lives, our genetic makeup is what biologically makes us human. It is clear that an individual is shaped out of their genetic code along with their environment. From a secular view point, the fear is that with artificial genetic manipulation we would lose the “…species-typical characteristics shared by all human beings qua human beings” (Fukuyama 101).
This film emphasizes the consequences of putting boundaries on the human spirit. In Gattaca, individuals are limited by the boundaries set by their genetic code. Both those who are genetically enhanced and those who are genetically deprived are at a disadvantage. Jerome Morrow, born with a perfect genetic code, must live his life with the assumption that he will achieve great things. He “had been engineered with everything he needed to get into Gattaca”. This puts pressure upon him, and it seems that his life is dictated to him. He is expected to succeed and be the best, always. The pressure to live up to his genetic code drives him to attempt suicide by stepping in front of a moving vehicle, which cripples him, but leaves him alive. Jerome comments how he “couldn’t even get that right”. He obviously could not deal with the fact that he was always expected to be so much, instead of being praised for what he was. Without the ability to walk, he cannot utilize his perfect DNA and puts his identity up for sale on the black market.
Why is this movie noteworthy?
The issues presented in this “not too distant” future are all to realistic,
and our society can easily relate to the issues of concern GATTACA.
It is believed by many that “[a] technological revolution is occurring
in the biosciences that will transform humanity more profoundly in
the coming decades than has occurred in the previous thousand years”
(Kirby 1). Genetic Engineering is described by Francis Fukuyama,
in her discourse, Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology
Revolution, as “…by far the most consequential of all future developments
in biotechnology” (82-83). She explains that this is because
“[h]uman genetic engineering raises most directly the prospect of
a new kind of eugenics, with all the moral implications with which
that word is fraught, and ultimately the ability to change human nature”
(Fukuyama 72). We currently posses and utilize the biotechnology which allows us to genetically enhance agriculture and animals, and it seems that human genetic manipulation is not to far from our grasp. The Human Genome Project, started in 1990 and completed in 2003, was a massive venture which mapped out the 30,000 genes in human genetic code. We are continually taking steps toward developing the means to “directly manipulate the genes we pass on to our children” (Hayes 1). Therefore, the possible consequences of such a great change cannot go overlooked. GATTACA does an excellent job of portraying a possible scenario in a future where eugenics is extensively practiced. This film is unique in its “bold discussion of genetic prejudice”, which “makes it unique among science fiction films” (Kirby 7). Vincent’s situation is very similar to other “minority characters in other films who manage to avoid discrimination, and obtain jobs, by ‘passing’ as members of the majority group” (Kirby 8). We can relate to his story and empathize with his problems because of the many problems with discrimination based upon things like race, religion, and gender, which our world continuously faces. Like the prejudices existent in our world today, the genetic discrimination described in GATTACA is shown to be a social phenomenon. This is a unique prediction, however, it goes along with more recent feelings of bioethicists “that the nature of genetic enhancement will not be determined solely by scientists, but will primarily be driven by societal preferences” (Kirby 6). GATTACA has also proven to be quite controversial. The advertising for the film, which consisted of a fictional company offering “Children made to order” (Kirby 10), angered many including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. They felt that the add trivialized their efforts and progress in genetic manipulation. The scientific community is also concerned that GATTACA gives people a negative view on genetic research.
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The
genetic prejudice in GATTACA is shown as a social phenomenon. Throughout
the film we see how the characters believe that possessing a superior
genetic code is synonymous with being a superior human being. However,
because the traits that “parents choose for their offspring [are] the traits
that are favored by society” (Kirby 6), a genetically enhanced individual is
only superior in society’s eyes. As a child Vincent is not allowed to go to
school with other children because he is too much of a liability. Because
the society has deemed Vincent an “in-valid”, his parents treat him as one
and favor his genetically enhanced younger brother, Anton. One can see how
in this situation, When Irene finds herself attracted to Vincent, she has
his genetic code mapped out, displaying her preoccupation with genetic
predestination. Becoming a “degenerate” by adopting the genetically
superior identity of Jerome Morrow, Vincent is able to prove society wrong.
Accomplishing more that Jerome ever could, Vincent is earns the position of
First Class Navigator of Gattaca Space Academy and ultimately travels to
Saturn’s moon, Titan. The fact that Vincent “proves to be more successful
than all the genetically-enhanced characters…dismisses the practice of
genetic discrimination by rejecting its underlying assumption of genetic
determinism” (Kirby 8).
As
shown in GATTACA, we must be cautious of human genetic manipulation
because with it will come many consequences. This science fiction film
gives us a window into what might happen to our world if we began to make
widespread use of human genetic manipulation. It calls for action and an
increase of our general awareness concerning this issue. Human nature is a
delicate balance between nature and nurture, and tampering with this balance
will lead to consequences that might be both unforeseen and unpleasant.