Preview

Ethics and Natural Method

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
720 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Ethics and Natural Method
Gattaca is directed by Andrew Niccol and the film is set out in the "not too distant future." Andrew Niccol's perspective of the future isn't what most people expect but once thought about thoroughly it surely seems quite possible. This movie presents us with a new method in which society strives for perfection and it also makes the audience wonder if genetic engineering is morally correct. The social hierarchy system in Gattaca is based on your genetic makeup and the way you were born. People born the way we know as natural are "in-valids"; on the other hand people born with the assistance of genetic engineering are "valids." An "in-valid" has his future set out to be a cleaner or other insignificant job in society which doesn't require an education. A new form of prejudice has been raised into debate which is the idea of having superior or inferior genes.
Within the text, the natural method of conception is genetic engineering unlike to what our society perceives to be natural. Genetic engineering leads to genetic selection from the parents who choose to eliminate any defects, diseases or genetic illnesses. Some parents may want to leave several genetic traits to chance rather then selecting the attributes of their son or daughter. To what extent is this process of conception morally right? If even morally right at all. Ethically speaking, genetic engineering in embryos should only be used in extreme circumstances. If the natural method of conception isn't possible in parents then I believe genetic engineering should be a last resort, but only enough genetic selection should take part to provide a healthy child not to give this child any foreseen advantages over other children.

Genetic engineering in children may not necessarily mean that it will lead to success and happiness but it may rather have a negative impact on that child mentally as shown to us from the film. Jerome has a high status of genes and is considered to be elite in all aspects; these

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Gattaca, a movie released in 1997, is about potential children being selected through preimplantation genetic diagnosis to ensure they carry the best hereditary traits of their parents. A genetic registry database uses biometrics to instantly identify and classify those created as "valids" while those that carry traditional means are known as "in-valids". This movie easily corresponds with the use of science and technology in today’s world. Many probably didn’t think much of this movie, just as they didn’t with the Aldous Huxley’s Novel Brave New World, which is based on a very similar dystopian future. The societies in the novel and movie are considered “perfect” worlds with their genetic engineering, young people and drugs, and human conditioning. This sounds shockingly similar to what America may be becoming.…

    • 916 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The essay “Building Baby from the Genes Up” by Ronald M. Green explains how in the future, parents might be able to design the genes of their future baby. Green supports genetic engineering of embryos, “why not improve our genome?” (549). He thinks that with the process of in vitro and preimplantation, it could eliminate disease or confer desirable features onto our future. Some medical professionals is concerned about the effect of genetic selection in parenting, Green said “The critics concerns may be less troublesome than they appear”, he thinks that parents will not love their children any less in the quest of perfection, and any kids will not be pressured to live up to perfectionist and expectation.…

    • 538 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    However, genetic manipulation is still a slippery slope for more trivial “improvements”. The people in the film did not stop at eliminating harmful diseases but they also started altering things like muscle mass, intelligence, personality traits, hair color and this is when eugenics becomes problematic. Like the society in Gattaca, we could be at risk of becoming a superficial society obsessed with perfection. For example Eugene Marrow, the man Vincent borrows his DNA samples from in order to pose as a valid was obsessed with perfection. Marrow was genetically engineered to be a winning swimmer, his entire existence was dedicated to swimming and yet he still wasn’t good enough. Eventually, we came across someone who was as better swimmer than him and he received a silver metal. Marrow began to feel useless, he was genetically perfect and yet he was not, so he attempted to kill himself by running in front of a car. He failed, survived and as a result was paralyzed from the waist down. Marrow became even more depressed, he found some use in helping Vincent but in the end, he killed himself because even though he was genetically engineered to be the “best” but he was not and thus a failure. By meeting Vincent, an invalid who was far more qualified to do great things despite his genetical disadvantages, made Marrow realize that genetic manipulation is not what makes you the “best”. Perhaps it gives you an advantage, which why Marrow decided to give Vincent, his DNA samples but that is not was Vincent eventually became an astronaut, he became one based on his own natural merit. Eugenics is about “improving” individuals but Marrow is an example Gattaca suggests that Eugenics become problematic when we stop…

    • 2232 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Themes In Gattaca

    • 857 Words
    • 4 Pages

    It would appear in the film, that genetically enhanced beings are preferred over naturally developed humans. Genetic engineering is believed to create a superior being; a human free from supposed "genetic dispositions" including anything from premature baldness to behavior disorders. This notion creates a division of superiority starting from birth. For example, Vincent, the protagonist of the film, was a God-child; his younger brother Anton, one the other hand, was genetically crafted. During the designing phase of Anton's genes, his parents have second thoughts about whether or not to "leave some things to chance," but after his mother gazes toward Vincent, seeming to acknowledge his imperfections, nods in agreement to alter the embryo. It's from this moment forth that Vincent, even from his parents perspective, is seen as defective and inferior. His unborn sibling is "worthy of his father's name" and quickly becomes to the family's preference. Discrimination is not only used in personal matters such as these, but also in the workforce. Biologically engineered individuals are given the most prestigious positions, whilst those naturally born are deemed subordinate and reserved for menial work. Vincent falls victim to this bias and describes how he "belonged to a new underclass, no longer determined by social status or the color of your…

    • 857 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Why Is Gattaca Unethical

    • 529 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Bioethical Analysis of Gattaca Envision living in a world where it is conventional that humans are first constructed as ‘designer babies’, with progenitors possessing the ability to manipulate the attributes of their offspring to one’s absolute desire. Depicted in the dramatized 1997 film Gattaca, a presentation of an unfathomable feasibility in fabricating another being's appearance from birth, enhancing the accustomed human anatomical structure, excluding any deficits found in antecedent generational heredities, and even opening an engineered gateway to an increased lifespan, regardless of innate DNA. All of these modifications fit into an exercise defined as genetic alteration or eugenics. If the engineering is contained to a certain extent and done with reasonability, ethical benefits arise, such as the extermination of illnesses in young and unborn children, and the curing of intractable progressive diseases otherwise found incurable in humans.…

    • 529 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Through his film Gattaca, Andrew Niccol shows that the ‘not-so-distant future’ of genetic engineering is not as superior as it seems. A time where children are engineered from conception is imminent. An obvious benefit of such a world is the ability to eliminate all genetic flaws from diseases to deformities. While this may seem like a utopian society Niccol suggests that the more technologically advanced man becomes, the more human spirit is lost. He also implies that man can never engineer past primal human characteristics. Using the story of Vincent Freeman, a man born genetically inferior with high ambitions to enter the elite aerospace corporation Gattaca, he illustrates his first idea with the setting and lighting then…

    • 945 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Gattaca is a very interesting film that sheds light on the possible future of humanity, when it comes to genetic manipulation. The entire plot of the film revolves around a society that is primarily centered on the need for superior genes. Every child in the film, apart from the protagonist, Vincent Freeman, is born in the eugenics program. This program is purposely structured to manipulate the genetic composition of children to guarantee that they only inherit a specific set of desirable traits from their parents. The film portrays the struggles that Freeman is forced to endure as he attempts his dreams of exploring space in a highly discriminative society where only the genetically perfect human beings survive. It represents the extremes…

    • 1404 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gattaca

    • 712 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Within the movie, the natural method of birth is genetic engineering, which is unlike what our society perceives to be natural. Genetic engineering leads to genetic selection from the parents who choose to eliminate any defects, diseases or genetic illnesses. Some parents may want to leave several genetic traits to chance rather then selecting the attributes of their son or daughter. To what extent is this process of conception morally right, if even right at all? Morally speaking, genetic engineering in any conception should only be used in extreme circumstances. If the natural method of conception isn't possible in the parents then genetic engineering should be the last resort, but only if the genetic changes take place to provide a healthy child, not to give this child any known advantages over other children born "naturally".…

    • 712 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    English 112 Essay

    • 1670 Words
    • 7 Pages

    In this essay, to support my standpoint, I will be using work from Rebecca Dresser, who wrote, "Genetic Modification of Preimplantation Embryos: Toward Adequate Human Research Policies." Rebecca Dresser describes current shortcomings and recommends policy actions are designed to ensure, that they must meet certain criteria for research on human modification being practiced. In addition, author, Sally Deneen's article entitled Designer People. Where she asks, Are We Changing the Nature of Nature? Richard Hayes, Genetically Modified Humans? No Thanks, the opposing viewpoint to Ronald M. Green. In addition, to the Bible and other scholars, who also feel that, human genetic modification, is unethical.…

    • 1670 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Determination In Gattaca

    • 763 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In the film, genetics play a huge role in the lives of the characters. There is discrimination towards those who are “invalid”, and genetic testing and profiling is very common. Genetics play into the idea of talent vs determination because those who have undergone genetic manipulation supposedly have a better genetic makeup, and therefore a better chance at success. Even though Jerome is the perfect genetic specimen, he is never as successful as Vincent was. Vincent said, “He had everything except desire,” meaning that even if you had the right genetics, you would still have to put in some hard…

    • 763 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gattaca

    • 961 Words
    • 4 Pages

    "Consider God's handiwork: who can straighten what he hath made crooked?" (Ecclesiastes 7:13). Such is the opening quote and the thesis of director Andrew Nichol's film Gattaca (1997). Although the film is based on the lives of genetically engineered human beings and the effects that such have on the "invalids", that is those who are "God-children", it deeply criticises the values of a society of "valids" through its satirical tone and the use of film noir techniques. Gattaca not only supports the belief that nature, despite its flaws, is preferable to a supposed error-free genetically engineered existence, but it also advocates that nobody should "tamper with" what "[God] has made crooked." Through the medium of the film, director Nichols…

    • 961 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In his article Is Gene Therapy a Form of Eugenics, John Harris discusses the concept of Eugenics when it comes to using Gene Therapy. Harris defines Eugenics as adapting to the production of “fine” offspring, or artificially producing offspring to fit certain criteria. He stresses on how this concept should be achieved. His main argument is that we should be in favor of Eugenics when it comes to potentially saving a child from living a potential disabled life. Harris believes that his view is not wrong, but believes that it is a matter of indifference whether we call it Eugenics or not. Harris argues that Gene Therapy is ethically sound, and using Eugenics can save lives. Harris notes problems when discussing the idea of using Eugenics. First, he notes that we do not fully understand the objective of producing “fine children.” Second, we do not understand the definition of “fine” and notes the difference between what an offspring can be, and what an offspring normally is. He poses a question where he argues what the difference between removing and repairing dysfunctions is, compared to using measures to enhance the functions of a potential offspring (Eugenics) He poses a second question where he asks if Gene Therapy in general is morally acceptable.…

    • 1037 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gattaca is a society which limits people in aspiring to achieve their dreams. This makes Gattaca a very discriminative society. They value perfection more than morals, ethics and self-belief. The use of technology to enhance an individual’s capabilities is what rules the society of Gattaca. ‘Ten fingers, ten toes, that’s all that used to matter. Not now. Now, only seconds old, the exact time and cause of my death was already known.’ Parents choose only the very best of themselves for their children, eliminating all defects they have to pass on only the best genes to their children. Companies in this society do not conduct normal interviews where people are judged on their personal qualities and qualifications but are judged solely on urine and blood tests to predict candidate potential. By defining people by their genetic background, it places huge…

    • 818 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Although Gattaca for many might be a complicated and exciting movie, I believe that its ideas and beliefs are not only clear but simple to understand as well. While the movie suggests that people live in a Utopic world, where humans can be engineered to be perfect, it is very clear to me why that is not the case. If history has shown us anything, is that people with determination, will and focus can overcome others who might be stronger or smarter. Some examples of that could be David and Goliath or even an old story written for children by Aesop involving a race of a turtle and a bunny to determine who is faster. My personal belief is that Gattaca’s world is a Dystopia just like the world we currently live in.…

    • 133 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gattaca

    • 270 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Gattaca is a story about the not-so-distant future, a time when genetic engineering is so common place that it is common practice. The world, of course, has the draw back that anyone who was not genetically engineered is part of new class of society, called an invalid.…

    • 270 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays