The effect of genetic engineering on society

Genetic Engineering

The Effect of Genetic Engineering on Society

Gattaca

Director Andrew Niccol's film Gattaca (1997) explores the possibilities and consequences of the genetic engineering of human beings in the near future. In the film Niccol portrays a society where people are judged by not by the color of their skin, nor by the content of their character, but by the quality of their DNA.

The film opens with two quotes, one attributed to the Bible, "Consider God's handiwork: who can straighten what He hath made crooked?" (Ecclesiastes: 7-13) and the other from Willard Gaylin, "I not only think we will tamper with Mother Nature, I think Mother Nature wants us to." Gaylin is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University, and co-founder of The Hastings Center, a "nonpartisan research center dedicated to bioethics and the public interest" (The Hastings Center, 2010). This theme, the inherent tension between science and faith, man and God, is woven throughout the film.

Niccol sets the film in the "the not-too-distant" future, where the genetic engineering of humans has become commonplace and DNA plays a significant part in the determination of social status as well as the availability of career options. After all "why should anyone invest in non-perfect human?" The protagonist, Vincent, is conceived and is born without the aid of this technology. Because he is less than perfect, he needs glasses, has a congenital heart defect, and is given a life expectancy of 30.2 years; he faces excessive genetic discrimination and prejudice.

Niccol demonstrates his feelings about this futuristic society in various ways and through various characters. When his father, Antonio, learns that his son is less than perfect he instructs the nurse to write the name Vincent instead of Anton on the birth certificate. Medical insurance is not available because his DNA indicates he is high risk. Later in the film the name Anton is given to Vincent's younger brother, who is brought into the world through genetic engineering or "the natural way."

The accepted rational for genetically engineered children is presented by the doctor who creates Anton. The parents are given a choice among four fertilized eggs, two boys and two girls. After choosing a boy, under the pretext that Vincent would have somebody to play with, (in reality it was so the father would have a namesake) and hearing the defects the embryo has been screened for, they wonder if it is not "good to leave a few things to chance?" The doctor replies, "You want to give your child the best possible start. Believe me we have enough imperfection built in already. Your child doesn't need any additional burdens, and keep in mind this child is still you…simply the best of you. You could conceive naturally a thousand times and never get such a result." A key indication of Niccol's feelings about the validity of this society is when Vincent says "They used to say that a child conceived in love has a better chance of happiness. They don't say that anymore." Science has become the determinate of one's chance of happiness.

The swimming scenes between the brothers show that through the force of free will and spirit Vincent is able to overcome his genetic deficiencies. The brothers would play chicken and swim out to sea until one would get scared and be the first to turn back. Inevitably Anton would win until the last time they swam together as children. Then the "impossible" happens and Vincent out swims Jerome, having to rescue him from drowning. It was the "one moment in our lives that my brother was not as strong as he believed and I was not as weak. It was the one moment that made everything else possible." (It is ironic that Jerome, the person whose identity Vincent assumes, is a world class swimmer.) At the end of the movie Vincent and his brother swim once again and the result is the same, indicating that it is Vincent who is the superior one, not Anton. This is a symbolic triumph of God over science.

Niccol uses the character of Irene to show that not all of society is satisfied with the status quo. Even though Irene is almost perfect, it is her imperfection, an unacceptable chance of heart failure that precludes her from achieving her dream to go into space. Yet in the end her heart does not fail. Initially she questions Vincent's "validity" and surreptitiously has him sequenced. Later she is appalled to discover that he is a "God child," but in the end she helps him maintain his deception and go into space.

The character of Jerome under goes a metamorphosis during the film. A genetically superior specimen, he is paralyzed when he attempts suicide after finishing second in a swimming race and cannot accept his failure. As Vincent observes when he first meets Jerome "there is no gene for fate." Jerome's redemption is achieved through Vincent. Early in their relationship Jerome is bitter about his fate as demonstrated through his over use of alcohol among other things. As the story progresses he becomes much more vested in the outcome and endeavors to ensure that Vincent is successful in achieving his dream. When the day of the launch arrives Jerome gives Vincent enough genetic samples for two lifetimes. Vincent attempts to thank Jerome but he replies, "I got the better end of the deal. I only lent you my body; you lent me your dream." Jerome tells Vincent that he is going on a trip also, and while Jerome is launched into space, Vincent climbs into an incinerator puts his silver medal around his neck, and commits suicide. The medal turns gold as the flames consume his body. The irony of the situation is that genetically superior Jerome finally overcomes his demons and garners peace of mind through helping the genetically inferior Vincent.

Discussion

I liked the ending of the film. This film illustrated Niccol's unwavering faith in the spirit of man to overcome even the most intimidating obstacles. This film is a celebration of faith over science. It is the intangibles that make us human and give us our humanity.

The moral issues surrounding genetic engineering are deeply rooted in the fabric of our lives. Linda Glenn (2004) notes that opponents of genetic engineering argue that by dabbling in this we run the risk of creating a race of super humans, redefining what it means to be normal and increasing the ever-widening gap between the haves and the have-nots. On the other hand proponents of genetic engineering argue that currently parents can and do give their children advantages by sending them to better schools, giving them growth hormones and such, and that banning genetic engineering is a denial of individual liberties.