Gattaca (Event 2) | Discrimination from Advanced Technology

    The film, Gattaca, is a Sci-fi and Romance film directed by Andrew Niccol in 1997. The plot is driven by the inequality that emerges from the scientific development of genetically altered human beings. There are two classes of natural born “in-valids” and modified “valids”. Many ethical issues concerning human rights and discrimination are key drivers within the fictional narrative. These blatant, institutionalized inequalities are nothing short of warning signs to unveil the dangers of rapidly advancing technology within biology.

 

    The dystopian society serves as a direct link to the topics of Week 6’s lecture on BioTech. Modification to the human appearance is on track to expand from the art community and incur major repercussions for the future of fetuses and human genes. On the surface, gene modification to eliminate diseases, or even make an individual taller, seems like a scientific miracle. However, Gattaca, exposes the societal issues that accompany stark differences in genetic superiority/inferiority.

 

    The main character, Vincent, is an “in-valid” and therefore barred from prestigious work such as becoming an astronaut. Especially with a younger, “valid”, brother, he is motivated to transcend the rigid barriers of work place discrimination. He transforms into Jerome, a paraplegic, “valid” man. Each day, he follows an extreme routine to disguise himself to prove society wrong about his supposed incompetence as an “in-valid”. Indeed, the core of this issue exists today among communities of color who are expected to put in extra effort to overcome systemic racism in areas such as housing, wealth, and health (Gross).

 

    “Valid” characters are also at a disadvantage in this society. People like Jerome, aka Eugene, strive for perfection and are devastated by imposter syndrome when they lose. Even Irene is burdened by a defective gene that affects her heart. No one wins in a society like Gattaca, so scientists should exercise extreme caution as they pursue biological modifications.

Sources

Gattaca. Dir. Andrew Niccol. 1997. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/419761265.

Gross, Terry. "How Systemic Racism Continues To Determine Black Health And Wealth In Chicago". NPR. 2021. https://www.npr.org/2021/05/06/994173342/how-systemic-racism-continues-to-determine-black-health-and-wealth-in-chicago. 

Hercher, Laura. "Designer babies aren’t futuristic. They’re already here." MIT Technology Review. 2018. https://www.technologyreview.com/2018/10/22/139478/are-we-designing-inequality-into-our-genes/. 

Vesna, Victoria. "5 BioArt pt4". UC Online. YouTube. 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qSc72u9KhI&list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7. 

Weir, Kirsten. "Feel like a fraud?" American Psychological Association. 2013. https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2013/11/fraud.