Gattac The Misconception Of Perfection

DNA are like legos, they work together to build the traits of living things. They are the building blocks of the body. Many scientists today have been figuring out different ways to manipulate, change, add, and subtract genes from the DNA in living things; this is process is called genetic engineering. Some of the living things being experimented on are live people, plants, and animals. Today scientists are debating on the morals of genetic engineering due to what the community thinks of it, because of the christian 's viewpoint of genetic engineering. To some christians it may pose a threat to their, but to others it may be a blessing or a gift. Genetic Engineering is a growing breakthrough in the science community. “Over the last 30 years, the field of genetic engineering has developed rapidly due to the greater understanding of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as the chemical double helix code from which genes are made. The term genetic engineering is used to describe the process by which the genetic makeup of an organism can be altered using “recombinant DNA technology.” This involves the use of laboratory tools to insert, alter, or cut out pieces of DNA that contain one or more genes of interest.”(Pocket K No. 17) Scientist have yet to unlock the full potential of genetic engineering, but the information and the use they have found for it today has reached farther than anyone 's expectations.

‘Gattaca’ (1995) directed by Andrew Niccol, follows the story of the underdog Vincent, who is challenged by genetic discrimination against ‘in−valids’ like himself. Through an elaborate identity switch and the help of

The film Gattaca is a dystopian film directed by Andrew Niccol which is released in 1997. The movie portrays a society not far from now where people have lost the hopes and believes on their own human fate and will. In this society, most people are the products of genetic engineering and their worth is measured only by their DNA contents. The film also portray the life and relentless struggles that the main protagonist , Vincent Freeman faces to achieve his lifelong hopes and dreams in the society as the unaccepted kind in the society. Andrew Niccol

Andrew Niccol's Gattaca portrays a discriminatory society in which status and quality of life is determined solely by a DNA profile. However, it is against this oppressive regime that Vincent Freeman shines, as Niccol conveys the importance of maintaining individuality – in those qualities which deem his protagonist unique. Throughout the film Niccol criticises those who conform and contribute to this, while simultaneously he praises those valids who do rebel in order to emphasise how pivotal it is that the human race does not succumb to lead the existence portrayed by this "not to distant future" society.

The science fiction cinematic piece Gattaca by Andrew Niccol was released in 1997. It addresses the moral and ethical concepts regarding genetic engineering and the social order strives in the pursuit of biological perfection. The idea of perfection and genetic engineering is portrayed with a dystopian world were genetic discrimination is the foundation for society that takes place in “the not so distant future”. To address these ideas Niccol, uses archetypal characters such as Vincent as the underdog and Eugene as the supporting character to convey the psychological challenges and boundaries that have an effect on how the characters live their lives and interact within the world they live in. The films idea of genetic engineering causes the viewer to consider the ethicality of such technology and how its superiority can result in a world were individuals are bound by social restrictions and discrimination due to the presence of a scientifically engineered race of human beings.

In the film Gattaca directed by Andrew Niccol the power of the human spirit is exemplified as the prominent theme, presented through the characterisation of Vincent Freeman, the protagonist of the film. Vincent is a young man living in a world which discriminates against one’s genes, and unfortunately for Vincent he possesses “Inferior Genes”. Through the verbal techniques of dialogue and narration and the visual features of camera angles and lighting Vincent’s inferiority is exposed. Through some of these same techniques as well as the technique of

Set in a world governed by genetic engineering, Andrew Niccol’s 1997 film, ‘Gattaca’, portrayed the drastic consequences given to the populace in “ the not too distant future”. The protagonist of the story was a man who challenged the system with the help of a disadvantaged Valid. Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) was born the natural way, his genetic test at birth, stated that he had bad eye sight, heart problems and a “life expectancy of 30.2 years”. Given a pre-determined life as a perfect Valid, Jerome Eugene Morrow, had aspired to be the best, until a suicide attempt left him permanently paraplegic. Both these characters overcame adversity, helped each other along the way, and succeeded in their dreams one way or another.

Inequality, Disease, Poverty… one may experience any one of these three fundamental pitfalls of a modern society on a daily basis. Gattaca, a film directed by Andrew Niccol, portrays a future society and its attempt to eradicate the former. They main character, Vincent Anton Freeman, is a symbol of unorthodoxy in this society. Vincent is a “God Child”, meaning that he was not genetically engineered like other members of this civilization. He was conceived naturally by his parents and was allowed a natural birth and upbringing. His situation has left him in the shadow of his younger brother, both literally and figuratively. Regardless, Vincent is determined to become a navigator, an astronaut of sorts. He is able to pass off as another navigator who was injured in a car accident. Vincent constantly fights to keep his true identity in the shadows as he

Living up to one’s full potential may not seem easy, but with genetic help, life might not be so difficult after all. Vincent Anton Freeman is living in a society where people are genetically modified to be the best versions of their parents. With a dream to travel in space, Vincent impersonates a disabled “valid” in order to chase this dream. The movie Gattaca directed by Andrew Niccol shows how Vincent, Lamar, Jerome, and Irene are unorthodox by breaking the societal rules of what a particular invalid could or should do.

Gene therapy is defined as the medical replacement of defective genes in living human cells; its aim is to replace the activity of a defective gene by activating a dormant gene which has a similar function (Wheale & McNally, 212). Under gene therapy comes the politically controversial Human Genome Project, a fifteen-year, $3 billion federally-funded biology program. The goal of the project is to isolate the defective gene on the chromosomes which comprise the human genome (Fletcher, 2). In this manner, the Human Genome Project may be able to rid the cancer-ridden genes from human DNA, thereby curing cancer permanently. The project has been the focus of much scientific and political controversy over the past few years for its possible ramifications are extensive to all of human existence.

In the “near” future of Andrew Niccol’s Gattaca, perfection is everything. Even the most trivial aspects of one's genes are handpicked for flawless, genetic purity. However, perfection has cost, a cost that impacts one's ability to aspire to be more than the blood that flows through their veins. A person's ambition cannot be engineered or predicted; ambition is something that is acquired through life's experiences. It is this infectious ambition that drives Vincent Freemen and inspires those who have been robbed of their own aspirations to share in his knowledge of imperfections power.

In the movie Gattaca, Andrew Niccol presents the idea that though being at odds with society’s values involves risk, complying with those values can also be also harmful. Niccol explores this idea most significantly through the use of characterisation. Through Vincent's story, he shows both the inherent dangers associated with going against societal views, but also the rewards that can come as a result. The character contrast between Vincent and Anton further builds on this idea, with Vincent’s victory over his brother demonstrating the dangers of compliance with society’s views

Genetic engineering is the process of manipulating genes by adding new DNA or modifying the genome (which is a made of DNA) to add new beneficial traits in that organism using biotechnology. It removes the DNA from one organism and transfers into another organism. This changes the actions of the genes to serve human goals. DNA plays a huge role in this process. It contains human’s unique genetic code and also hold the instruction to make the proteins in the body.

Gone are the days where modern day factors like merit and aptitude dominate. With the rise of genetic engineering as a social norm, congenital difference now becomes the main discerning factor differentiating the human population as the obsession with perfection grows stronger. This promotes both genetic stratification and genetic discrimination. Narrated by Vincent Freeman, the story of Gattaca is told through his eyes. Viewers are able to catch a glimpse of Vincent’s life and his struggles in attempting to escape the genetic hierarchical system he was born in. Vincent does so in order to fulfill his dream of becoming an astronaut, a dream that was never meant to be realized for someone like Vincent. The film utilises many techniques such as flashbacks, metaphors and relationship dynamics to supplement the film’s plot and shows us how a idealized utopian society is impossible through the story of

Throughout history several people have felt a desire to change something about themselves. It could have been a gene a person carried that could cause illnesses. A person might have had a need for a new, healthy organ to save their lie or maybe someone wanted to go all the way to the beginning and change every aspect of himself. Fast forwarded through time to current day and now all of this is possible with the help from genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is a historical advance in the science and medical fields that will aid in the cure of diseases and illnesses in humans, transplant of healthy animal organs to humans, and the creation of the perfect baby for every family.