Gattaca: How Much Science Is Too Much Science

How much Science is too much Science?

Science has revolutionized out way of living. We cannot say for certain whether science is a curse or a fruit of blessing. It is science that had provided modern man the life of ease, leisure and pleasure. It has brought in reach of the common man comforts and luxuries that were available in the past only to few. Science had invented marvelous machines. People and things, news and views can go around the globe today with lightning speed. Men has already landed on the moon and a human-made satellite that goes through the solar system gives us more information about other solar planets. Our lives have become healthier and longer. Modern hygiene, sanitation, medicine and surgery are conquering more and more physical and mental illnesses each day. Science also has figured out a way to clone animals and genetically modify the organisms and food, as well.

There are other all different kinds of movies that interpret on scientific issues and inform viewers about the future perspective. Has anyone thought of what our future would like in terms of science? Well there are many Hollywood movies produced, which reflects on this question. One of the movies that we watched in class was called Gattaca. Basically, this movie refers to the future world of genetics engineering, where there is discrimination not between races and ethnicity, but genetic discrimination. Calling people "Valid", genetically engineered people and "Invalid", those who were conceived by traditional means, carries out the discrimination. It is easy to profile one's genotype resulting in the validity qualifying for proficient employment while the in who are liable to disease are demoted to menial jobs.

The character Vincent Freeman was conceived and born with out the aid of genetic engineering. He was suffering from nearly eradicated physical dysfunctions of nearsightedness and congenial heart defect as well as given the life expectancy of thirty years. Vincent had a dream of going into space one day, but since he was not valid he could not make it. In order to achieve his dream, Vincent assumes the identity of Jerome Morrow, who became paraplegic in an accident. Vincent uses Jerome's DNA tissues and gets admission to one of the most prestigious space-flight corporations called Gattaca Aerospace Corporations.

Along the course of the movie Vincent does a good job maintaining his identity but that his eye lash is found, which makes him the prime suspect if the murder that took place. The detective who is handling this case is none other than Vincent's own brother, Anton Freeman. Even though Anton was genetically superior to him, Vincent was still the one who succeeded in life and went to the space mission despite being an invalid. This shows that person can not really succeed just because they are genetically engineered, there is something called human spirit.

If this is the society that is going to be in the future, if the babies were genetically produced, if there is racism based on genetic material than I am totally against it. Vincent's action is completely justified, and just because he was invalid does not mean he can not pursue his dream or goal. This was done by the government and Vincent's dream meant to him more than anything that is why he even left his home. In order to achieve his dream he even chopped his legs just so he could extend them. Every morning he shed as much hair and dead skin as possible, took a blood drop and out it on his finger trips and attached the urine sample on his thigh. So he did what he had to do to accomplish his life long dream of going into space. Vincent managed his identity quite amazingly throughout his life at Gattaca.

The lack of individuality and distinctiveness in the occupants of Gattaca is alarming at best. With the constant pressure to succeed in life, manufactured or valid human beings are sapped of their spirit, ultimately leading to a discontented and empty life. The culture and image of Gattaca influences this, with strongly similar