8 Film: Gattaca

Gattaca is a 1997 science fiction thriller in which a genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel. Written and directed by Andrew Niccol and starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law. (1 hr 46 min)

Gattaca explores the enduring significance of character in a society obsessed with genetically inherited traits.

Gattaca is set in the future. Our ability to shape the genetic inheritance of children before they are born has become so sophisticated that it is commonplace for parents to design children who are free of defects and whose attributes and abilities they choose. After birth, in this imagined world, it is possible to read an individual’s complete genetic profile almost instantly, from any sample of his DNA. Everyone’s profile is registered, and one’s DNA alone determines if one’s access to education, jobs, and even marriage partners. Those who were designed at birth therefore have the edge in every way over the dwindling ranks of “naturals.”

Inevitably, ambitious individuals with poor DNA engage in identity fraud. They acquire DNA samples from donors who have the genetic endowments essential for success but who lack the ability to use them. They contrive to pass off this DNA as their own, alter their appearances so they resemble their DNA donors, and then enter walks of life otherwise closed to them.

The story concerns Vincent Antonio Luca, a “natural” with a natural defect: a weak heart. Despite this limitation, as Vincent grows, he develops a passion for astronomy and longs to become an astronaut. Knowing he will never permitted to be one, he ararnges to assume the identity of Jerome, a young man who has outstanding DNA but has been paralyzed in an accident and now suffers from alcoholism.

As Gattaca begins, Vincent, living as Jerome, is one the verge of his first, longed-for space flight. He soon becomes romantically involved with Irene, who also has a weak heart but does not know that this is a characteristic they share; she does not know that “Jerome” is a false identity. The authorities begin to suspect Vincent of fraud; however, and he is soon pursued by an investigator. – Leon Kass

Watch the film Gattaca

Films for this class are streamed through the HCC library’s portal. You will need to log in by using the same username/password you use for other services (such as logging into Canvas).

Consider this:

1. Throughout their lives, Vincent and Irene were told they were sick and incapable. Vincent seems never to have yielded to this, while Irene did. Why do they respond so differently to the same influence? Does the importance Vincent attaches to the value of risk ring true?
2. Does his willingness to take risks make Vincent more or less perfect?
3. Does the way we live with our particular capacities and attributes depend on how we acquired them?
4. Who would be responsible for the actions or products of an altered human, the alterer or the altered? Whom might you consider more perfect?
5. When the film Gattaca was first released, as part of a marketing campaign there were adverts for people to call and have their children genetically engineered. Thousands of people called, wanting to have their offspring genetically engineered. Does this surprise you? Why or why not?