Gattaca Response

View Gattaca or Children of Men. Write a short essay addressing following q's: Are the genetic aspects of the film portrayed in a realistic manner? How are social norms reflected in the use of genetics? Is the outcome of the film consistent with what we know about genetics today?

Are the genetic aspects of the film portrayed in a realistic manner?

To this question I would answer yes, and expand on this response in that

this would be a very realistic picture of the future where measures such as the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act do not exist. Human nature is to be governed with a prioritized sense of self-preservation and construction; in this tendency, within a capitalistic society such as our own, it would stand to reason that genetic information could and would be used as a tool to insure and establish personal success and preservation. Vincent Freeman, is a prime example of the marginalized, having a projected risk for developing heart disease and mental disorders and is only predicted to live until shortly over 30.

How are social norms reflected in the use of genetics?

Social norms in Gattaca clearly reflect a hierarchy which is based upon a preconceived ranking system of genetic desirability. At birth humans are analyzed along the complete genetic spectrum and a profile created. This is a logical occurrence as humans have a tendency to need to be able to distinguish themselves from other humans. Because of this tendency, it could be rationalized that the most logical and effective lines for doing so would be genetic in nature. Sadly it is a tragically simplistic practice to use genetic information as the sole basis for the determination of one’s social identity and standing. In a nutshell this film does a rather accurate job of summing up the current debate raging in science today over effects of nature versus nurture.

Is the outcome of the film consistent with what we know about genetics today?

I would say to this question yes as well, the reasons for which I find to be simple. First and foremost, science and varied literature have already documented the incredible nature of the human body and individual. The human body has been documented to undergo near-miraculous change in a direction. Now this can go for the better or worse as we saw in the movie with the destruction of Jerome and with Vincent’s victory; this simply shows that genotype is not synonymous to phenotype. In other words we still cannot ignore the role of nurture/the environment when examining individuals by genotype. In this sense, the film is rather consistent with our present knowledge in that we do in fact, acknowledge a need to further explore the effects of nature and nurture.