Gattac Is There A Perfect Future?
Ian Overholt
Week 7 Assignment
HUMN-424
Virginia Fontana
15 October 2011 Is There a Perfect Future?
“Most people regard genetic engineering as something that will happen tomorrow. They are wrong. Biotechnology is here today” (Mann, 1999, p. 113). Some people may laugh at the idea that genetic engineer like the type seen in Gattaca is possible, but already “genetically engineered crops cover an estimated one-quarter of all cropland in this country” (Maafo, 2001, p. 84). While genetic engineering is only being applied at crops at the moment, one has to wonder how long it will be before humans are genetically engineered and what will be the implication of such actions. An analysis of science fiction films, where genetic engineering …show more content…
Jerome is another one of the perfectly genetically engineered people, but he is described as being the best of the best. Unfortunately for Jerome, being perfectly engineered does not mean he would be successful at everything or that he would live a perfect life. Jerome had apparently placed second place once, which apparently demoralized him to the extent of attempting suicide. Jerome’s attempt of suicide was unsuccessful and it resulted in him becoming paralyzed, which would make him the perfect partner for Vincent. Jerome’s final action in the film is interesting, but not surprising. Jerome had tried to kill himself once before and it would only be a matter of time before he would try again. The ending of the film was the most informative and fascinating part of the whole film. When Vincent is his heading for the space shuttle he is given a surprise gene inspection by the doctor. Vincent does not have any of Jerome’s blood/urine samples and so it would seem that he is caught. Surprisingly, the doctor who conducted all of the testings on Vincent knew he was an In-Valid the entire time. The doctor let Vincent pass, because he had a son that apparently was an …show more content…
Clifton E. Anderson wrote how genetic engineering could be used to on animals to make them better transplant host for people (Anderson, 2000, p.20). While the idea of being able to alter a pig, so it could provide better chances for a successful heart transplant is wonderful one has to wonder if it is truly ethical. One has to wonder if it would be alright to alter another species gene, so that people can use them as replacement parts. In summary, the idea of genetic engineering is indeed a fascinating and concerning one, but it will be years before the world has the technology presented in films like
Week 7 Assignment
HUMN-424
Virginia Fontana
15 October 2011 Is There a Perfect Future?
“Most people regard genetic engineering as something that will happen tomorrow. They are wrong. Biotechnology is here today” (Mann, 1999, p. 113). Some people may laugh at the idea that genetic engineer like the type seen in Gattaca is possible, but already “genetically engineered crops cover an estimated one-quarter of all cropland in this country” (Maafo, 2001, p. 84). While genetic engineering is only being applied at crops at the moment, one has to wonder how long it will be before humans are genetically engineered and what will be the implication of such actions. An analysis of science fiction films, where genetic engineering …show more content…
Jerome is another one of the perfectly genetically engineered people, but he is described as being the best of the best. Unfortunately for Jerome, being perfectly engineered does not mean he would be successful at everything or that he would live a perfect life. Jerome had apparently placed second place once, which apparently demoralized him to the extent of attempting suicide. Jerome’s attempt of suicide was unsuccessful and it resulted in him becoming paralyzed, which would make him the perfect partner for Vincent. Jerome’s final action in the film is interesting, but not surprising. Jerome had tried to kill himself once before and it would only be a matter of time before he would try again. The ending of the film was the most informative and fascinating part of the whole film. When Vincent is his heading for the space shuttle he is given a surprise gene inspection by the doctor. Vincent does not have any of Jerome’s blood/urine samples and so it would seem that he is caught. Surprisingly, the doctor who conducted all of the testings on Vincent knew he was an In-Valid the entire time. The doctor let Vincent pass, because he had a son that apparently was an …show more content…
Clifton E. Anderson wrote how genetic engineering could be used to on animals to make them better transplant host for people (Anderson, 2000, p.20). While the idea of being able to alter a pig, so it could provide better chances for a successful heart transplant is wonderful one has to wonder if it is truly ethical. One has to wonder if it would be alright to alter another species gene, so that people can use them as replacement parts. In summary, the idea of genetic engineering is indeed a fascinating and concerning one, but it will be years before the world has the technology presented in films like