Genetic Engineering In Gattaca

Gattaca supports the belief that nature is preferable to an error-free genetically engineered existence.
Andrew Niccol’s Sci-fi Thriller, Gattaca, is a dystopian world where a person’s identity is determined by their genetic quotient. In Gattaca the genetically engineered part of society is viewed as perfect while the naturally conceived are viewed as invalids or “de-gene-rates”. Contradictorily, Niccol attempts to demonstrate to the audience that nature, with its flaws, is preferred over an error-free, genetically engineered society. Niccol does this by contrasting the natural and scientific worlds through the overarching techniques of setting, and characterisation and other filmic specific devices.
Niccol’s juxtaposition of the natural and
scientific worlds through filmic techniques highlights the superiority of nature. Through the incorporation of the cinematic techniques of setting, colour, and mise en scene, Niccol persuades the audience to view the film from the perspective of nature being preferred to science. When the audience is first introduced to Gattaca, Niccol utilises the overarching techniques to establish the monochromatic environment; costumes and acting style of the employees is androgynous, showing the audience the loss of individuality in the Gattacan society. The mise en scene is sterile in presentation and void of any and all imperfections. Niccol emphasises this sterility with the starting scene where Vincent is seen scraping off any excess skin and hair that would uncover his imperfections. Niccol’s external mise en scene incorporates colour and scenery in order to create an atmosphere that is warm, welcoming and full of natural features like plants and beaches. The conception scene which takes place on a beach with a yellow filter, represents nature as well as Vincent’s natural birth, tying him to nature. Furthermore, the ‘golden dawn’ scene where Vincent and Irene, Vincent’s love interest, are admiring the way the yellow sun reflects off of the manmade structures, emphasises through the dialogue and colour that nature “is beautiful. Isn’t it?” Niccol simultaneously shows that true beauty, and perfection, is found in the simple and natural ways rather than man-made sterile environments.
Niccol’s characterisation of the genetic ‘valid’s’ Anton Freeman and Jerome Morrow exposes the imperfections of a perfect society through camera angles.
In Gattaca genetics plays a prominent role in society and “discrimination [is] down to a science.” Niccol utilises flashback and voiceover to reveal Anton’s genetically engineered conception as Vincent, through voice over narration, reveals that Anton is promised a successful life due to his higher genetic quotient, “a son [Vincent’s] father deemed worthy of his name”. However, the last two swimming scenes that Niccol incorporates prove that “for the genetically superior, success is attainable but it is not guaranteed” as Vincent, an invalid, wins both swimming competitions and saves Anton both times. ‘God’s’ eye view camera shots and dialogue are used in the scene to make Anton seem menial as he loses. The camera shots are almost looking down on him and making him seem like the inferior one instead of his brother, and “every time [Anton] [tries] to pull away he [finds] [Vincent] right beside him.” Vincent’s determination is highlighted here as he pushes onwards whilst Anton gives up, forcing Vincent to save him. With his determination, Vincent is able to become an elite member of Gattaca despite his natural flaws, something Anton’s perfect genetics could not do. Jerome Morrow, a disabled former swimmer with genetics that are “second to none”, is represented as a victim to his DNA regardless of his ‘perfection’. “[Jerome]
never suffered from being called a ‘utero’, ‘faith birth’ or ‘invalid’, [instead]; he suffered from the burden of perfection.” Niccol shows Jerome’s battle with his DNA in the scene where Jerome and Eugene first meet, Jerome is placed off centre in the shot with the DNA helix symbol of a spiralling staircase behind him in order to show how his DNA is an overbearing figure in his life. Niccol has purposefully placed Jerome in a wheelchair as a symbol of how his DNA is a physical metaphor for his mental imprisonment; his DNA being a disability for him. The silver medal is another symbol of Jerome’s ‘failure’ as a genetic valid; Niccol utilises the silver medal to emphasise that “Jerome Morrow was never meant to be one step down on the podium,” accentuating the irony of Jerome’s flawless DNA being inferior. Thus, Anton and Eugene prove that genetic engineering does not guarantee success; instead, it limits a person’s abilities to a specific field, making nature, which exhibits free choice, more preferable to science.
Ultimately, Niccol emphasises to the audience that nature is more preferable to science by highlighting the misconducts of the genetically engineered world and how they are not as perfect as they may seem. Niccol is trying to warn mankind about the dangers of meddling with nature; it will lead to a loss of individuality and a greater discrimination rate. Ultimately Niccol warns his audience to “Consider God’s handiwork; [because] who can straighten what He hath made crooked?”