Examples Of Genetic Manipulation In Gattaca
The film Gattaca is an American film that premiered in 1997, about a future society where babies are conceived through genetic manipulation to ensure that they possess “favorable” traits. The film is about Vincent Freeman, who was born outside of genetic manipulation and faces genetic discrimination because of it. Gattaca takes place in the not so distant future where eugenics, the practice of “improving” genetic quality is common. In this society, there is a database that classifies those as “valid” who are genetically modified and those conceived naturally and thus are more susceptible to genetic complications as “invalid”. Genetic discrimination is technically illegal in this society but similarly to racial discrimination in our own society
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it is still very much present. Genotype profiling common in this workforce and valid are the only ones to “qualify” for professional employment while in-builds are stuck the menial jobs. Freeman, an invalid genetics indicate that he has a high probability of several genetic disorders so he works as a janitor clean the office spaces of the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation and dreams of becoming an astronaut. However, he could never achieve this goal as an invalid so Freeman poses as a valid by using hair, skin, blood and urine samples from Jerome Eugene Morrow, a valid and former swim athlete who was genetically engineered to be one but is paralyzed due to a car accident. The film faced controversy by opening up a conversation about human genetic engineering especially in the 90s when it was only in the early stages. Some scientist reaction to the film was that it is an attack or opposition to eugenics because of the basis of the film being about Freeman’s struggle. However, looking at the film from a more contemporary lens, the film is less about an attack on science but a criticism and warning about how we use science. Gattaca highlights the damage eugenics can do to our society when “ go too far ” or reach a point that some may argue are not sciences place. It brings to the surface issues of playing god and inequality, we cross over from medically to cosmetic which not everyone may not see as a need. That eugenics could cause even more issues for our already troubled society if it was available for the public in our own society. Gattaca argues that limits should be placed on science because the film depicts the possible negative consequences if science has fewer restrictions. Gattaca raises the question of what is considered “too far” when science crosses the line and start “ playing god” or being unethical. At first glance, it can be difficult to see eugenics as a negative thing because theoretically eugenics has the potential to save millions of people’s lives and protect generations forward. For one, we could eradicate negative heredity conditions that we have not been able to cure or treat from our gene pools. We could rid society of things like alcoholism, addictive susceptibility, mental illness, propensity for violence, obesity, heart disease, blindness, deafness and so much more. Thus, we could possibly have better individuals if we eliminate at least biologically reasons for bad behaviors which could decrease overall crime and increase productivity. Based on Albert Einstein’s Common Language of Science, he could agree that this scientific advancement could bring the human race together. Einstein argues in the essay that science is “…set up by the best brains of all countries and all the times…” so wouldn’t we know what is best for ourselves? If Eugenics is a philosophy that was created for the betterment of our world it difficult imagines it’s something that could hurt it. Einstein sees science as something that brings people together, like language and attributes the improvement of the world thus far in his lifetime to cooperatives efforts in science. He also notes that “ Whatever this tool in the hand of man will produce depends entirely on the nature of the goals…” And by definition, the goal of eugenics is the improvement of human genetic traits with the aim of improving the quality of the human population. If the goal is realized, Einsteins believes that “…such goals superiority will prove itself in the long run…” Ultimately eugenics is an advancement that could do a lot of good for mankind and another notable scientist could also agree. Also in Charles Darwin’s Origins of Species, he notes that “…Nature [selects] only for that of being which she tends…Man selects only for his own good…” This way of thinking lines up with the definition of eugenics in that the goal of eugenics is to better man which according to Darwin is always the main goal. Darwin’s position also makes it seem that eugenics does have the main goal which according to Einstein is vital to the science being successful. The film Gattaca does not oppose eradicating life-threatening genetic disorders, it’s apparent in the film that aspects of the fictional society in Gattaca are improved, for one many are in great physical health and are greatly productive with longer lifespans.
However, genetic manipulation is still a slippery slope for more trivial “improvements”. The people in the film did not stop at eliminating harmful diseases but they also started altering things like muscle mass, intelligence, personality traits, hair color and this is when eugenics becomes problematic. Like the society in Gattaca, we could be at risk of becoming a superficial society obsessed with perfection. For example Eugene Marrow, the man Vincent borrows his DNA samples from in order to pose as a valid was obsessed with perfection. Marrow was genetically engineered to be a winning swimmer, his entire existence was dedicated to swimming and yet he still wasn’t good enough. Eventually, we came across someone who was as better swimmer than him and he received a silver metal. Marrow began to feel useless, he was genetically perfect and yet he was not, so he attempted to kill himself by running in front of a car. He failed, survived and as a result was paralyzed from the waist down. Marrow became even more depressed, he found some use in helping Vincent but in the end, he killed himself because even though he was genetically engineered to be the “best” but he was not and thus a failure. By meeting Vincent, an invalid who was far more qualified to do great things despite his genetical disadvantages, made Marrow realize that genetic manipulation is not what makes you the “best”. Perhaps it gives you an advantage, which why Marrow decided to give Vincent, his DNA samples but that is not was Vincent eventually became an astronaut, he became one based on his own natural merit. Eugenics is about “improving” individuals but Marrow is an example Gattaca suggests that Eugenics become problematic when we stop
using it for possible disabling medical purpose and use it to give ourselves an unnecessary advantage. Another issue is that for eugenics to work in our own society is everyone would have to participate in genetic manipulation. This would be the only way to avoid ostracization of people who did not genetically manipulate their children. However, there would then be a great lack of in this “unified” race that would be considered perfect and superior. Part of what makes our species a great many variations of people, which allows for many perspectives and spaces for thought and discourse and eugenics could take away from that. Also, how could we impose this on everyone, realistically and similarly to Gattaca not everyone would be about to afford this technology or they could prefer to conceive naturally. Ultimately, like the society in Gattaca we would try to unify our species but instead, we would just find new ways to divided groups of people. For example instead of the division of race that are present in today’s society we could now have class gap based on genetic superiority. Which for people like Vincent would create great obstacles for them to function successfully in society? Eugenics could cause more problems than solutions, these improvements would only create new conflicts on top of the problems already present in our society that we have never battled before. The notion that genetic manipulation would fix problems is not necessarily true it really just causes new ones. Vincent faced so much discrimination in the film and it would be difficult to say that individuals like Vincent in our won society wouldn’t be treated the same way. That could create a lot of animosity between people who are genetically engineered and not, if anything it could decrease productivity and increase hate related crime. For example, in Gattaca right, before Vincent is finally scheduled for a space mission, his director was murdered. It’s never clear who killed the director but the film hints that it might be Vincent himself. Vincent worked very hard to keep his identity hidden, Vincent must meticulously groom and scrub down daily to remove his own genetic material, and pass daily DNA scanning and urine tests using Marrow’s samples. One of Vincent’s real DNA samples is found at the crime scene, even though he did not commit the crime his real identity is the top suspect. This is because his DNA samples read as invalid and most crime in this society is assumed to be done by invalid because they are “beneath” them. For part of them, film the audience is lead to believe that Vincent could be the killer, the director had been suspicious of him for some time and could be the person to reveal his identity. In the end, it was not Vincent but that does not mean violence between valid and invalids would not happen in our society. There is already hate crime in our society today that is fueled by things like race, money and religion and eugenics would only add even more fuel to that fire. Another concern is that eugenics does not have a clear goal or objective. There is a common definition of what it is but that can be interpreted a million way which is one the many problematic things about it. In reality, it has no goal because its possibilities are infinite and we would constantly be searching for better. And if Darwin is correct, that whatever tool man use’s in this case science, depends entirely on a clear goal than eugenics is doomed. Part of what makes eugenics goal unclear is that the purpose of it is to improve but how do we as the society decided what needs improvement. For the most part, most of the world could agree that treatment for hereditary diseases could use some improvement, that getting rid of harmful genetically caused traits could be improved. But is changing something hair color, or skin color an improvement? How do we decide what hair color or skin color is deemed superior? The answer to that is we can’t, we have been battling that question as a human race for centuries and eugenics will only heighten conflict. It seems arbitrary to fight over characteristics people are born with, that they cannot change but with eugenics we could potentially change and then now the fight will be over people not wanting to change their birthright. Changing the natural genetic makeup of embryos could also be considered playing god or nature. And based on Darwinism it really doesn’t support eugenics because it is not natural, Darwin does support the improvement of the human race but through natural selection. Manipulation of the human gene pool through selective pressure could be seen as natural because it derails from what some may see as an already predetermined destiny for the human race. Religious institutions and individuals could say that eugenics is wrong because eugenics disregard the intrinsic right every human is given as they were made in the image of god, religiously speaking, made perfectly according to god. Another issue is, similar to the religious institutions opposition for abortion, in eugenic the child has no say in whether not this procedure is done. This becomes a civil rights issue and eugenics would face strong opposition in our own society if it became actually possible for the general public to use this science. Many believe that with eugenics we are venturing into a territory not meant for us, with unforeseeable consequences. Eventually, a line as to be drawn between what is feasible and what is unethical and if eugenics, science with very little restrictions or limits is would be tangible to our society we could be contributing to our own destruction. It possible that eugenics could still do a lot of good for our species but in its present form, it will cause more issues. We as a society need to deal with the ethical issues that come with eugenics, need to create routing rules or legislature that respect human dignity, rights, and freedoms of the human race. We would have to decide if this was an issue fit for local government, federal government or if it is something beyond human decision. We also would have decided what we deem as necessary for improvement or if it is a human right to manipulate things that many not be necessarily be a medical need. Because of all these unanswered questions eugenics, and many other unrestricted sciences like this should not exist in our society because of its negative consequences.
it is still very much present. Genotype profiling common in this workforce and valid are the only ones to “qualify” for professional employment while in-builds are stuck the menial jobs. Freeman, an invalid genetics indicate that he has a high probability of several genetic disorders so he works as a janitor clean the office spaces of the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation and dreams of becoming an astronaut. However, he could never achieve this goal as an invalid so Freeman poses as a valid by using hair, skin, blood and urine samples from Jerome Eugene Morrow, a valid and former swim athlete who was genetically engineered to be one but is paralyzed due to a car accident. The film faced controversy by opening up a conversation about human genetic engineering especially in the 90s when it was only in the early stages. Some scientist reaction to the film was that it is an attack or opposition to eugenics because of the basis of the film being about Freeman’s struggle. However, looking at the film from a more contemporary lens, the film is less about an attack on science but a criticism and warning about how we use science. Gattaca highlights the damage eugenics can do to our society when “ go too far ” or reach a point that some may argue are not sciences place. It brings to the surface issues of playing god and inequality, we cross over from medically to cosmetic which not everyone may not see as a need. That eugenics could cause even more issues for our already troubled society if it was available for the public in our own society. Gattaca argues that limits should be placed on science because the film depicts the possible negative consequences if science has fewer restrictions. Gattaca raises the question of what is considered “too far” when science crosses the line and start “ playing god” or being unethical. At first glance, it can be difficult to see eugenics as a negative thing because theoretically eugenics has the potential to save millions of people’s lives and protect generations forward. For one, we could eradicate negative heredity conditions that we have not been able to cure or treat from our gene pools. We could rid society of things like alcoholism, addictive susceptibility, mental illness, propensity for violence, obesity, heart disease, blindness, deafness and so much more. Thus, we could possibly have better individuals if we eliminate at least biologically reasons for bad behaviors which could decrease overall crime and increase productivity. Based on Albert Einstein’s Common Language of Science, he could agree that this scientific advancement could bring the human race together. Einstein argues in the essay that science is “…set up by the best brains of all countries and all the times…” so wouldn’t we know what is best for ourselves? If Eugenics is a philosophy that was created for the betterment of our world it difficult imagines it’s something that could hurt it. Einstein sees science as something that brings people together, like language and attributes the improvement of the world thus far in his lifetime to cooperatives efforts in science. He also notes that “ Whatever this tool in the hand of man will produce depends entirely on the nature of the goals…” And by definition, the goal of eugenics is the improvement of human genetic traits with the aim of improving the quality of the human population. If the goal is realized, Einsteins believes that “…such goals superiority will prove itself in the long run…” Ultimately eugenics is an advancement that could do a lot of good for mankind and another notable scientist could also agree. Also in Charles Darwin’s Origins of Species, he notes that “…Nature [selects] only for that of being which she tends…Man selects only for his own good…” This way of thinking lines up with the definition of eugenics in that the goal of eugenics is to better man which according to Darwin is always the main goal. Darwin’s position also makes it seem that eugenics does have the main goal which according to Einstein is vital to the science being successful. The film Gattaca does not oppose eradicating life-threatening genetic disorders, it’s apparent in the film that aspects of the fictional society in Gattaca are improved, for one many are in great physical health and are greatly productive with longer lifespans.
However, genetic manipulation is still a slippery slope for more trivial “improvements”. The people in the film did not stop at eliminating harmful diseases but they also started altering things like muscle mass, intelligence, personality traits, hair color and this is when eugenics becomes problematic. Like the society in Gattaca, we could be at risk of becoming a superficial society obsessed with perfection. For example Eugene Marrow, the man Vincent borrows his DNA samples from in order to pose as a valid was obsessed with perfection. Marrow was genetically engineered to be a winning swimmer, his entire existence was dedicated to swimming and yet he still wasn’t good enough. Eventually, we came across someone who was as better swimmer than him and he received a silver metal. Marrow began to feel useless, he was genetically perfect and yet he was not, so he attempted to kill himself by running in front of a car. He failed, survived and as a result was paralyzed from the waist down. Marrow became even more depressed, he found some use in helping Vincent but in the end, he killed himself because even though he was genetically engineered to be the “best” but he was not and thus a failure. By meeting Vincent, an invalid who was far more qualified to do great things despite his genetical disadvantages, made Marrow realize that genetic manipulation is not what makes you the “best”. Perhaps it gives you an advantage, which why Marrow decided to give Vincent, his DNA samples but that is not was Vincent eventually became an astronaut, he became one based on his own natural merit. Eugenics is about “improving” individuals but Marrow is an example Gattaca suggests that Eugenics become problematic when we stop
using it for possible disabling medical purpose and use it to give ourselves an unnecessary advantage. Another issue is that for eugenics to work in our own society is everyone would have to participate in genetic manipulation. This would be the only way to avoid ostracization of people who did not genetically manipulate their children. However, there would then be a great lack of in this “unified” race that would be considered perfect and superior. Part of what makes our species a great many variations of people, which allows for many perspectives and spaces for thought and discourse and eugenics could take away from that. Also, how could we impose this on everyone, realistically and similarly to Gattaca not everyone would be about to afford this technology or they could prefer to conceive naturally. Ultimately, like the society in Gattaca we would try to unify our species but instead, we would just find new ways to divided groups of people. For example instead of the division of race that are present in today’s society we could now have class gap based on genetic superiority. Which for people like Vincent would create great obstacles for them to function successfully in society? Eugenics could cause more problems than solutions, these improvements would only create new conflicts on top of the problems already present in our society that we have never battled before. The notion that genetic manipulation would fix problems is not necessarily true it really just causes new ones. Vincent faced so much discrimination in the film and it would be difficult to say that individuals like Vincent in our won society wouldn’t be treated the same way. That could create a lot of animosity between people who are genetically engineered and not, if anything it could decrease productivity and increase hate related crime. For example, in Gattaca right, before Vincent is finally scheduled for a space mission, his director was murdered. It’s never clear who killed the director but the film hints that it might be Vincent himself. Vincent worked very hard to keep his identity hidden, Vincent must meticulously groom and scrub down daily to remove his own genetic material, and pass daily DNA scanning and urine tests using Marrow’s samples. One of Vincent’s real DNA samples is found at the crime scene, even though he did not commit the crime his real identity is the top suspect. This is because his DNA samples read as invalid and most crime in this society is assumed to be done by invalid because they are “beneath” them. For part of them, film the audience is lead to believe that Vincent could be the killer, the director had been suspicious of him for some time and could be the person to reveal his identity. In the end, it was not Vincent but that does not mean violence between valid and invalids would not happen in our society. There is already hate crime in our society today that is fueled by things like race, money and religion and eugenics would only add even more fuel to that fire. Another concern is that eugenics does not have a clear goal or objective. There is a common definition of what it is but that can be interpreted a million way which is one the many problematic things about it. In reality, it has no goal because its possibilities are infinite and we would constantly be searching for better. And if Darwin is correct, that whatever tool man use’s in this case science, depends entirely on a clear goal than eugenics is doomed. Part of what makes eugenics goal unclear is that the purpose of it is to improve but how do we as the society decided what needs improvement. For the most part, most of the world could agree that treatment for hereditary diseases could use some improvement, that getting rid of harmful genetically caused traits could be improved. But is changing something hair color, or skin color an improvement? How do we decide what hair color or skin color is deemed superior? The answer to that is we can’t, we have been battling that question as a human race for centuries and eugenics will only heighten conflict. It seems arbitrary to fight over characteristics people are born with, that they cannot change but with eugenics we could potentially change and then now the fight will be over people not wanting to change their birthright. Changing the natural genetic makeup of embryos could also be considered playing god or nature. And based on Darwinism it really doesn’t support eugenics because it is not natural, Darwin does support the improvement of the human race but through natural selection. Manipulation of the human gene pool through selective pressure could be seen as natural because it derails from what some may see as an already predetermined destiny for the human race. Religious institutions and individuals could say that eugenics is wrong because eugenics disregard the intrinsic right every human is given as they were made in the image of god, religiously speaking, made perfectly according to god. Another issue is, similar to the religious institutions opposition for abortion, in eugenic the child has no say in whether not this procedure is done. This becomes a civil rights issue and eugenics would face strong opposition in our own society if it became actually possible for the general public to use this science. Many believe that with eugenics we are venturing into a territory not meant for us, with unforeseeable consequences. Eventually, a line as to be drawn between what is feasible and what is unethical and if eugenics, science with very little restrictions or limits is would be tangible to our society we could be contributing to our own destruction. It possible that eugenics could still do a lot of good for our species but in its present form, it will cause more issues. We as a society need to deal with the ethical issues that come with eugenics, need to create routing rules or legislature that respect human dignity, rights, and freedoms of the human race. We would have to decide if this was an issue fit for local government, federal government or if it is something beyond human decision. We also would have decided what we deem as necessary for improvement or if it is a human right to manipulate things that many not be necessarily be a medical need. Because of all these unanswered questions eugenics, and many other unrestricted sciences like this should not exist in our society because of its negative consequences.