Gattaca is a biological movie that talks about human genetic modification where children are pre implanted with genes to enable them posses the best traits when they are born. In the movie, children who are born with the pre implanted genetic identification are termed as valid and are believed to posses better cognitive abilities than those born through the old traditional way. Gattaca talks about the technology that is currently being used in reproduction. The movie questions the eligibility of technology in reproduction since the consequences are not as desirable as the scientists would love them to be. The movie incorporates genetic engineering, destiny and human determination. There are some group of people who, however, argue that the destiny of any person cannot be changed by anything; not even eugenics and the whole reproduction technology inventions. Instead, these people claim that determination can lead to the success of anybody regardless of how inferior the genes of that person are. The idea of genetic engineering aims at producing designer children where certain desirable traits are targeted in the child (Grobet, 1997).
Vincent, who was born the traditional way, is termed “invalid” since he was not genetically engineered as opposed to his brother Anton who was genetically engineered. Apparently, Vincent was susceptible to disease and mental instability. Anton generally did well in many aspects and easily beat his brother in these aspects. Vincent is genetically discriminated and prejudiced. However, this does not deter him from achieving his dream of becoming an astronaut. In the movie, Vincent impersonates Jerome Eugene Morrow and this leads to his acceptance at the Gattaca Aerospace. Vincent ends up as the best astronaut ever by becoming the top most celestial navigator at Gattaca. The movie, thus, teaches its viewers that determination is the most important aspect of overcoming any obstacle than a human being faces in life.
Human gene modification
The desire to produce designer children; children with desirable traits like intelligence and physical strength, has led to new developments in reproduction technology. Lord Winston strongly disagrees with genetic modification and categorically claims that such practices would not be accepted or allowed in Britain. There have been cases of children having three types of DNA in the United States. These children were probably produced from three parents. The desperation to produce children with extra ordinary traits has slowly led to a whole lot of new injustices like genetic prejudice and discrimination. Those who do not have the “superior gene” are termed “in-valid” and for that, they are discriminated against as opposed to those who have modified genetically (McPherron, 1997).
The desire to produce designer children; children with desirable traits like intelligence and physical strength, has led to new developments in reproduction technology. Lord Winston strongly disagrees with genetic modification and categorically claims that such practices would not be accepted or allowed in Britain. There have been cases of children having three types of DNA in the United States. These children were probably produced from three parents. The desperation to produce children with extra ordinary traits has slowly led to a whole lot of new injustices like genetic prejudice and discrimination. Those who do not have the “superior gene” are termed “in-valid” and for that, they are discriminated against as opposed to those who have modified genetically (McPherron, 1997).
Scientists’ take on genetic modification
Since the first cloning of a mammal by Ian Wilmut, there have been modifications on the concept that was used to clone the mammal to the extent that is now common among human beings. The ethical part of genetic engineering is yet another concern that ethicists have raised. With its lack of religious support, genetic engineering has spurred a lot of controversy. However, the big question that remains is whether ethical genetic engineering is as important as most people consider it to be? Is genetic engineering the solution to the day to day challenges that require intelligence and strength? Is human determination the ultimate solution to the daily challenges that face human beings? Scientists in the recent past, have performed gene modification on underproductive women as a solution to their barrenness. Gene therapy has, however, remained unsuccessful until today, but scientists believe that it has gone a long way to in improving gene competence.
Since the first cloning of a mammal by Ian Wilmut, there have been modifications on the concept that was used to clone the mammal to the extent that is now common among human beings. The ethical part of genetic engineering is yet another concern that ethicists have raised. With its lack of religious support, genetic engineering has spurred a lot of controversy. However, the big question that remains is whether ethical genetic engineering is as important as most people consider it to be? Is genetic engineering the solution to the day to day challenges that require intelligence and strength? Is human determination the ultimate solution to the daily challenges that face human beings? Scientists in the recent past, have performed gene modification on underproductive women as a solution to their barrenness. Gene therapy has, however, remained unsuccessful until today, but scientists believe that it has gone a long way to in improving gene competence.
There are various forms of genetic engineering e.g. the somatic and germline genetic engineering. The basic idea behind genetic engineering is that the genes of a person are changed or altered. In the somatic cell engineering, the genomes of somatic cells are altered. This alteration creates a new or different function of the somatic cells, which induces mutation. The ability to change the functioning of the cells has found to cure some selected genetic disorders. These genetic modifications only affect the individual, meaning they cannot be passed to their respective offsprings. Scientists in the United States have been focusing on the production of designer children. Another form of therapy is the germline cell therapy that involves the altering of the germinal cells. The effect of this process could be hereditary; the changes could affect the children of the individual who has gone through this kind of therapy (Singer, Peter, Kuhese, & Helga, 2006).
Human determination versus genetic engineering
The movie Gattaca brings to balance the issue of human determination, destiny and genetic engineering. The scientists have strongly asserted that human genetic modification has only gotten better since the first time a mammal was successfully cloned. The perspective of the scientists is that gene modification only makes the species better by improving its ability to survive. Genetically modified human beings are believed to be stronger and more intelligent compared to those who were simply born by the old traditional way.
The movie Gattaca brings to balance the issue of human determination, destiny and genetic engineering. The scientists have strongly asserted that human genetic modification has only gotten better since the first time a mammal was successfully cloned. The perspective of the scientists is that gene modification only makes the species better by improving its ability to survive. Genetically modified human beings are believed to be stronger and more intelligent compared to those who were simply born by the old traditional way.
An undisputed scientific fact is that modifying one’s genes can result in to a better human being; who is more competent both intellectually and physically. The whole idea of gene modification is, therefore, aimed at only improving the ability of the genes and the cell to perform their duties besides curing some genetic disorders. This is according to the scientists who have even gone an extra mile to assist the underproductive women and men give birth. Genetic modification is done by injecting active and healthy mitochondria into the body of the underproductive person. The mitochondria are believed to provide the some superior form of energy that was not there before. It is this energy that enables a person to be fertile.
In the Gattaca movie, a new challenge of discrimination and desperation to get genetically modified people arises. Genetic prejudice is clearly seen when Vincent is not allowed to pursue his dream because he was genetically inferior. Genetic modification is clearly turning into an unwanted necessity since, according to the movie; those who were born through the old traditional way were generally susceptible to disease and mental disorders. They were, therefore, considered to have a smaller ability to perform some tasks when compared to their genetically modified counterparts (Baoutina, 2008).
Anton, Vincent’s younger brother in the movie Gattaca, was generally more physically strong and intelligent. Anton did not face any genetic prejudice and discrimination since his physical and mental competence was unquestionable. Generally, Anton did well than his brother Vincent in almost every aspect of life. The fact that Vincent could not do things as easily as Anton, did not stop Vincent from trying. The competence that he lacked as a result of his genes lacking the strengths and the ability to do as well as his brother could only be compensated by determination; his determination.
Emerging issues like genetic prejudice were some of the challenges Vincent faced on his way up. As a result of this discrimination, his dream of becoming an astronaut was almost being shattered. Out of determination and his zeal to be an astronaut, Vincent had to impersonate a certain Mr. Jerome Eugene Morrow in order to have a chance to work at Gattacca as an astronaut. Vincent ended up being the best astronaut ever by becoming the top most celestial navigator at Gattaca. This was despite the fact that Vincent was not genetically modified and, therefore presumed to have an inferior mind with limited abilities. His success as the top celestial navigator clearly shows the power of human determination. Determination can clearly overcome any obstacles than a human being faces in life (Tang, 1999).
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