Genetic Engineering Depicted In The Film 'Gattaca'

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Biology is a vital subject that explains the science of living things. Technology uses the concepts of science to solve the challenges that affect the world and mankind. Societies have progressed in understanding the science of life to a point where life can be manipulated through technology. The film ‘Gattaca’ focuses on the bioethical aspects of reproduction, which is a subject of intense debate in the world. The underlying thematic concept of the movie is the question of biological determination of the real potential that human beings have on the universe. Perhaps the controversial issue in the film is the technological use of genetic engineering to create perfect societies. The controversy surrounding the technology stems from the genetic science potential to be used for harmful and positive use by technologists. This essay seeks to analyze the concept of genetic engineering in the film ‘Gattaca’ to create a perfect society.

Human beings in the world are more than their genetic potential, and they are supposed to be left free to operate within the environment without discrimination.

Neither group of persons should be awarded a higher status than the other on the basis of their genetic orientation without demonstrating integrity and character. The film explores human freedom by comparing between accidental and engineered children. Victor was accidentally conceived and discriminated by the society because he lacked what people perceived as the right traits for engineered children. He was seen to be a weak person, not able to compete with other individuals. However, Victor did not give up, and at one point, as he competed with his brother Anton during swimming, he emerged as the winner. The judgment against Victor was not appropriate and lacked substance as far as his capabilities are

concerned.
Favoring genetic engineering over inherited genes is not suitable for scientists and people in the society. Although genetic engineering enhances some of the human being traits in their lives, inherited genes can affect the performance of individuals. The main point that the film asserts is that the human spirit, determination, and genetically inherited traits substantially affect person’s abilities. For instance, Vincent was conceived in a natural way and was born through natural childbirth, leaving flaws in the genetic code. The flaws could have been solved by use of genetic engineering. Although he had flaws, Vincent was capable of performing more than genetically engineered individuals. Vincent faced difficulties due to discrimination resulting from judgments based on his genetic profile.
Genetic engineering should be practiced in an ethical manner because it enhances the individual’s performances that are vital to improving their wellbeing. Though many critics oppose the concept of genetic engineering, the benefits are more than what was previously thought. The technology allows people to instill intellectual faculties and control diseases that would affect the performance of individuals. In ‘Gattaca’, selection of sex was a common practice for women, giving parents the ability to determine characteristics they desire their children to have when they are born.
In conclusion, although many people doubt the technology and observe that there are many issues to be handled legally, the merits of the technology are invaluable. The incalculable and ubiquitous benefits of the technique as a whole, as well as the issues involved in the film, mute the calls for banning the technology. With utmost consideration and caution, genetic engineering will lead to limitless heights of humanity.