The new advances and tendencies in the application of genetic science evoke ethical, social, and legal concerns, as the immense progress in genetics is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the completion of the Human Genome Project at the beginning of the 21st century and the recent progress in genetics come along with obvious benefits in genomic medicine such as better diagnosis of diseases and gene therapy. However, on the other hand, the new genetics bring along worries that the new genetics could lead to a society that is less tolerant of disability and (genetic) diversity. Moreover, after successfully having intervened in the transformation of animals and plants to human’s liking, humans are now on the verge of manipulating the human genome so as to perfect the human species possibly, since the necessary genetic technology is now available.
The movie Gattaca builds upon the scientific and technological advances in genetics in the late 20th century and displays a dystopian “not-too-distant” future. In the portrayed future, excessive genetic screening and embryo manipulation have brought about a rigidly hierarchical society grounded on genetic discrimination. Undeniably, there is an insurmountable social gap between these two classes. Gattaca thoughtfully portrays the lives of different people trapped in these social categories and the special burdens they have to bear in such a society, which is obsessed with genetic perfection. A distinct two-tiered society structure is the result of liberal eugenic practices and the unquestioned belief in genes being the determinants of an individual’s life.
Niccol constructs a profoundly dystopian future, which results from of the utopian quest to eradicate imperfections in society and genetically perfect humankind. As Nicolas Pethes postulates, science fiction possesses the possibility to “prearrange real science and to picture outcomes that have not yet happened” (177) and to “[articulate] the current cultural image of science” (169). Hence, I read Gattaca as a genetic apartheid scenario to show how it comments on the advance in genetics in a critical way. It is not possible to dismiss that the visions of the dystopian movie can be easily tied in with the contemporary genetic advances of our society and the hereby-evoked ethical, social and legal controversies and obstacles.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. ‘State of the genetic art’
2.1. Cultural and social implications of the new genetics
2.2. Genetic determinism
3. The genetic apartheid society in Gattaca
3.1. Vincent Freeman
3.2. Jerome Eugene Morrow
4. Conclusion
5. Works Cited
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how the dystopian film Gattaca serves as a critique of genetic determinism and the social consequences of eugenic practices. By analyzing the dichotomy between the "Valids" and "In-Valids," the study explores how an unquestioned belief in genetic technology creates a hierarchical society that devalues human potential and individual identity.
- The ideology of genetic determinism in Western culture.
- The role of mass media in shaping public perceptions of genetics.
- Social stratification and "genoism" within the narrative of Gattaca.
- The psychological impact of genetic surveillance on individual protagonists.
- The importance of human spirit in overcoming biological predestination.
Excerpt from the Book
3. The genetic apartheid society in Gattaca
In Gattaca, the society is genetically two-tiered: It is split into two social groups, the Valids and the In-Valids, and the only difference between them is the makeup of their genome. In this society, class, race and gender are neglected, and the members are sorted on the basis of their genetic profile. As the protagonist Vincent Freeman states, he belongs “to a new underclass, no longer determined by social status or the color of your skin” (Gattaca 00:19:00). Hence, in Gattaca a society structure is created which is based on eugenic principles: The human genome is excessively genetically manipulated for the sake of eliminating genetic imperfections and, thereby, assure society’s success. As genetic technology makes it possible in Gattaca, society genetically designs their members to its needs, which results in the distinct two-tiered society.
The genetic advance enables scientists to manipulate the human genome and, thereby, create a new upper class: The Valids. The Valids are the genetic elite who is purposefully genetically designed to bring the society towards success. They are super intelligent, physically fit, flawless humans, whose impressive genetic makeup results from the removal of unwanted traits and the prenatal genetic enhancement. Individuals with outstanding enhanced genetic profiles are hired into prestigious jobs. In Gattaca, this genetic engineering of humans is valued as a virtue and therefore, unenhanced naturally born humans, the In-Valids, have to suffer many disadvantages in Gattaca’s society.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the rapid progress of genetic science and introduces the film Gattaca as a dystopian exploration of genetic discrimination and the societal dangers of genetic determinism.
2. ‘State of the genetic art’: This chapter covers the historical shift in genetic technology and its potential for human enhancement, while discussing the ethical concerns regarding the commercialization of genetic data.
2.1. Cultural and social implications of the new genetics: This section analyzes how predictive genetic testing and potential manipulation redefine social structures and contribute to stigmatization and new forms of inequality.
2.2. Genetic determinism: This section defines the reductionist ideology that genes control all aspects of identity and explains how this belief is reinforced by mass media coverage of genetic discoveries.
3. The genetic apartheid society in Gattaca: This chapter examines the hierarchical social order in the film, where individuals are classified as Valids or In-Valids based on their DNA, and the systemic discrimination that results from this categorization.
3.1. Vincent Freeman: This section focuses on the main character's struggle against his classification as an "In-Valid" and his attempt to overcome genetic predestination through will and deception.
3.2. Jerome Eugene Morrow: This section explores the life of a genetically perfect character who fails to live up to his status, highlighting the psychological burden of living in a society obsessed with perfection.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, arguing that Gattaca serves as a powerful warning against relying on genetic profiles as the sole determinant of human worth and fate.
5. Works Cited: This section provides a list of academic and cultural sources used to substantiate the arguments regarding genetics, film theory, and societal ethics.
Keywords
Gattaca, Genetic Determinism, Genetic Apartheid, Bioethics, Eugenics, Genetic Discrimination, Genoism, Human Identity, Genetic Surveillance, Science Fiction, Andrew Niccol, Vincent Freeman, Valid, In-Valid, Genetic Engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper primarily investigates the dystopian social structures portrayed in the film Gattaca and how they critique the real-world ideology of genetic determinism.
What are the core themes explored in this study?
The key themes include the psychological effects of genetic surveillance, the role of media in shaping genetic discourse, the ethics of human enhancement, and the struggle for identity in a society dictated by DNA.
What is the central research question?
The research explores how the film Gattaca exposes the ethical and societal dangers inherent in an unquestioned belief that human potential is strictly determined by genetic makeup.
Which scientific and philosophical concepts are applied?
The analysis utilizes concepts such as "genetic essentialism," "geneticization," and the distinction between "Puppet" and "Promethean" determinism to examine the film’s narrative.
What does the main part of the work cover?
The main body examines the current status of genetic science, the influence of media on public perception, the specific dynamics of the genetic class system in Gattaca, and individual character arcs that challenge biological predestination.
Which keywords define this research?
Key terms include Genetic Determinism, Genetic Apartheid, Bioethics, Eugenics, Genetic Discrimination, and Genetic Engineering.
How does the film challenge the concept of genetic determinism?
The film challenges this concept through the protagonist Vincent Freeman, whose success as a space navigator despite his "In-Valid" status proves that willpower and human spirit cannot be reduced to genetic code.
What is the "burden of perfection" in the context of the film?
The "burden of perfection" refers to the psychological pressure faced by characters like Jerome Eugene Morrow, whose life is so strictly defined by his flawless genetic design that any failure leads to a complete personal breakdown.
Why does the author classify the society in Gattaca as "genetic apartheid"?
The author uses this term because the society mandates a rigid segregation between the genetically superior "Valids" and the inferior "In-Valids," where movement and opportunity are restricted entirely by one's genetic profile.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Myriam Nickels (Autor:in), 2016, The Criticism behind Gattaca’s Genetic Apartheid Scenario, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/368570
