What did you think? Could this happen in real life? What do they mean in the movie when Vincent states that we now have discrimination down to a science? Ethically, would you consider genetically engineering your child? Would you want the best traits of you and your partner to be passed to your offspring to insure that they have the best opportunities in life?
I believe this could possibly happen in the future. I do not think it's a good idea. I think he meant that they went to new places when they started judging people based on their genetics instead of looks. I see the up sides to engineering your child, but I think sometimes the beauty is in the mystery. I think a regular birth makes your child seem even more of a miracle than it already is. Overall, I thought the movie was good. I wish I could have seen all of it.
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
DeleteEven though you didn't see the whole movie, you need to put more detail in your response. If you would like, I can lend you my copy.
“The only way you're going to see the inside of a spaceship is if you were cleaning it.” In the movie we watched this week, Gattaca, there were a number interesting ideas that all revolved around Vincent Freeman, who had been categorized into a lower class based on his DNA. For all of his life, he had wanted to reach the skies and become an astronaut of their day, but no matter how physically and mentally strong he was, his genetic footprint suggested that he was not up for the job. Unfortunately, in the world that unfolds around Vincent, this is the stereotypical society, one that is divided into two classes: valids and invalids. Frighteningly, we are years away from such technology, and it is quite possible that within our lifetime that we may see the technology such as this, as well as suffer its consequences. Diversity really does come down to a science, and for those in the higher classes, it really makes sense: Why would you put someone who is determined to die prematurely in a job which they cannot handle? Already in our society, there are small traces of discrimination in this form. In certain interviews, questions on the applicants health will be posed. Interviewers will even, unconsciously, choose physically fit people for jobs rather than physically unfit. When the science comes along where we can determine an estimated life summary for each individual, serious discrimination will begin, and we as an industrialized society will do nothing but only support it.
ReplyDeleteWhen Vincent stated that we now have decimation down to a science, he meant that people were categorized and judged by something that they we have no power over: our genes. After watching Gattaca, I feel like that could be the direction our society is heading towards because of the numerous advancements in science. I feel that it is just as disturbing to judge someone, in the future, by their genes as to judge a person by the color of their skin or their eye color; both uncontrollable. Ethically, I would never consider to genetically engineer my child because it encourages idea and puts human diversity in danger. Though, I do agree with the idea to genetically engineer a child to avoid a disease or a hereditary condition to their child. I forget who said it, but I really liked the quote: "There is no gene for human spirit."
ReplyDeleteThough it seemed far-fetched when this movie was made, I do believe that is is possible and very likely, that this will be what our society will turn out to be in the near future. Scientists have already begun the use of PGD pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to weed out the diseases children could have, and help parents pick traits for their children. In the movie, when Vincent says that we have discrimination down to a science, he meant that now people aren't discriminated because of their skin color but because of their genes and this science is something that can't be changed or denied. Skin color doesn't matter anymore, your genes is what will determine your future. You are no longer given full freedom, only if you have good or true genes will you be given some freedom. From an ethical standpoint, I would never want to genetically engineer my child because I want him or her to not be forced by their genes to become something they don't want to be. I want my children to decide what they want to be, and if there are challenges, I want them to be able to beat them, not just pass them over easily. Also, I don't want to choose traits for my offspring because I want my child to be born without any meddling. However, if this is how society is functioning by the time I'm a parent, I would probably choose to genetically alter by offspring just to make sure they aren't losing any opportunities to have a good life, and I don't want them to be discriminated against because of their genes. If there isn't pressure from society, then I will not genetically alter my offspring.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the movie Gattaca, I thought that this film was fascinating. It was cool to see how Vincent achieved his dreams despite what his family had told him. Even though he suffered from a heart condition, he was able to make the impossible possible, and it is due to the help of both Jerome and Eugene that his life at Gattaca had become a reality. Based on watching this film, I believe that some of its key events such as genoism and having an alternate identity is indeed possible within modern society. Given society’s modern evolution, how hard would it be to make a second self? With various theatre props, makeup, and the ability to obtain body fluids, a separate identity would not be difficult to accomplish. As for genoism, this could be tied in with both a modern connection as well as Vincent’s. As he states that discrimination is down to a science, his words speak truth because this statement can also be tied in with genoism. Out of the various features that humans discriminate against, whether it be physical or psychological, all of it can be traced back towards DNA. With characteristics, each one is represented by a gene, and with undesired traits, scientists can pin point exactly what gene corresponds to the development to each disorder. For years, humans have accepted multiple traits to be the optimum of society, and if someone ends up opposing that optimum, their life begins to be judged once they have been born. In the science community, the ability to genetically engineer children has finally become possible, yet is it worth it? Personally, if I were given the option, I would decline. The idea of giving the best traits to my offspring would be an honor, yet what point is there if it is done out of worry and fear? The best opportunities in life do not have to be obtained by having “the best DNA,” as there is more than one way to receive the best opportunities. Children learn how to go their own way, despite what might be holding them back. If they really want to achieve something, they will do whatever it takes if they are truly that determined to achieve it. Self-power plays a crucial role in living the best opportunities in life, as for they produce both memories and the ability to achieve goals and dreams in order to enter a higher power. From Vincent’s story, he shows more than just living his life as Jerome, he shows that the impossible does not have to forever be the impossible. There may be risk, yet if one truly desires to want to live their dream, they will find a way to make it a reality no matter what.
ReplyDeleteThis movie is an almost perfect way to describe what may happen. It is true even today that we judge people on their abilities and traits. We like to "classify" people and give them labels that describe who they are, and when mankind has the ability to create an advanced life, this judgement will grow. People will know if they have been genetically engineered, and from there different labels will appear. I do not believe in the genetic engineering of humans, even if I want my child to have the best of my traits.
ReplyDeleteI would want nothing more than the perfect child, but not the same way as in Gattica. Imperfection and failure is essential to mankind, because it leads us to new answers and chances to correct ourselves. Genetically perfect children in our society would just be another complicated issue to throw into the fire of today's society. Would I want to, yes, would I, no. I think technology like this could be helpful if it was targeted towards potentially life threatening genes, but not in the comical way of having a build a bear workshop child where you choose its appearance like we witnessed in Gattica. All we would accomplish from this is controversy. Is it really worth it? I think not.
ReplyDeleteI liked watching GATTACA. Although there were some parts of the movie I didn't understand, it was still a good movie. And I think that this is possible in the future. But if the opportunity were put into action what genes you want to erase, I would erase only some and keep some to make my kid unique. When Vincent says that discrimination is down to a science, he means you are judged on your genes, which at the point in the movie is called genocide.
ReplyDeleteI really liked watching Gattaca! Parts of it were sad, but they carried an important message. This movie was made a long time ago, and back then the concept was very far-fetched. However, as technology progresses, the idea of genetic engineering is altogether very possible and could definitely take place sometime in the not-too-distant future. When Vincent says that they "have discrimination down to a science", he is not kidding. The part of the movie where he went in for his "interview" to get into the space program was a poignant part for me. All that they did was test his genes and nothing else. No questions, resume, or anything of that sort. Genes had become the dividing factor in society and the outcasts in the world were literally determined by their DNA sequence. I would not want to genetically engineer my child. Though it may seem like the better thing to do, I think leaving most things up to chance is the best way to go. I think I feel like Vincent's parents when they went into the geneticist's office for the first time. (but i wouldn't think of my child as a disappointment the way they did with Vincent) After all, genetic engineering now for children is not the norm and we still have some pretty remarkable people in this world.
ReplyDeleteI thought the movie was very interesting and thought provoking. I think some of the things Vincent does is possible, but all of it seems a little before our time. I think they mean that, deep down people are already judged by their size, weight, skin color, and so on. So now, they have the ability to know EXACTLY who has all the correct genes, and who doesn't. I would not completely want to genetically engineer my children because it is not humanly correct, for a person to be programmed to be perfect. I would want my children to be protected from disease, and other unpleasant things, but getting engineered for looks is unnecessary. It wouldn't be right to have opportunities handed to my children just because of their genes, so I wouldn't want to genetically engineer them for that reason.
ReplyDeleteWith rapidly advancing scientific technology, the movie Gattaca is entirely possible. Though a great movie to sit back and watch, living it would be a nightmare. The human race struggles greatly in discriminating any kind of people unfavored. When Vincent states 'that we now have discrimination down to a science', he is referring to the fact that you can be denied opportunities in life such as your dream job if you do not have great genes. They only want to invest in the best people. Well, it's totally unfair to judge someone based on their genetic makeup and not on their actual abilities and personalities. It's practically deciding what someone will amount to before they have a chance to live and develop as a person. I would not consider genetically engineering my child because I wouldn't want that life for them. Life has too much pressure to be perfect as it is. The way the movie paralleled that aspect of our society was excellent. Life is supposed to be about making mistakes and imperfection and effort, not creating the ultimate human with superior abilities. As if we haven’t learned from history, that power goes straight to our greedy heads and results in disastrous repercussions.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good movie, a nice way to start spring break. I could see thing being possible eventually but I don't think it would happen in our life time. when Vincent says we have discrimination down to a science he means that literally. If it ended up coming down to people getting turned down from jobs because they were not genetically engineered I would just so my kid wouldn't have to go through all that trouble to fit in or have to be a janitor. If it ever comes down to that I would genetically engineer my child just so they could live a good life, I wouldn't like it but I would do it.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this movie and I think it does a good job of showing that you will not succeed or fail based on your genes alone. While it is possible that this could happen in the future, I think it is a thoroughly bad idea. This kind of technology could be really useful in preventing disease and disability, but it would only take one more step to turn it into a perfect child machine. When Vincent says that they have discrimination down to a science, he means that discrimination, which used to be based upon race, intelligence, looks, wealth, social status, etc., is now that much easier to sustain because there are way less "deGENErates" than people who are genetically engineered. As for me, I would not use genetic engineering for looks, but I would definitely use it to ensure my child would be healthy.
ReplyDeleteOverall, what made the plot of "Gattaca" so poignant was the usage of science in a way that is not very far fetched anymore. If genetically engineering humans at conception becomes a valid possibility (and I believe it will), societies will follow a path similar to the society in the movie. Discrimination seems to be an instinctive human flaw: we want to distinguish ourselves as better than others in order to validate our own worth. The society in "Gattaca" was based on a system of discrimination because the naturally conceived children could not get into certain schools, jobs, etc. because of their genetic code. I believe that when Vincent states that "discrimination is down to a science" he literally means that they use scientific means of discrimination. If I lived in such a society, I think the only way I could not feel guilty about the decisions I made for my children at their conception would be to simply not have children. On one hand, genetic enhancement would offer more opportunities and the promise of an easier future, yet I can not condone the ethical side of this science. On the other hand, with natural conception I would have to deal with the fact that I brought a child into this world knowing it would be a struggle for his or her entire life.
ReplyDeleteI think this this movie, “GATTACA” is so shocking in the way that it could be a potential futuristic normality. Only the possibility is not as far off in the future as it may seem. Although genetic discrimination seems like such a ridiculous concept now, I would be surprised if the idea did not affect our near future somehow. With all the scientific advancements in China with genetic selecting, at this rate, our generation (including anyone born naturally) from here on out could be considered the “Vincent” because we were reproduced; not specifically produced. When Vincent said how “we now have discrimination down to a science”, he means that preferred traits were accepted and identified by what they’re made up of. He was smart for his DNA, so he felt left out since all the odds were against him. But if it were up to me, I would NOT genetically engineer my child because it messes with the beauty or uniqueness of the child. Look how Vincent ended up: Even though he was not specially engineered, he was still a genius. That would be what I would want my child to be like: Bright from their own self-motivated genius. I feel that even though I could choose the best traits for my child, it would not necessarily make them a better person. My opinion, although unpopular in the movie, is that a person should be judged on more than just their success throughout their life. Besides, a little imperfection is a good thing;it adds character.
ReplyDeleteI think discrimination between the engineered gifted and the “regular” people. I also believe that some day genetically engineering your child will be the norm just so your kid can keep up with the world. Its discrimination down to a science because people are being discriminated because of their DNA makeup and before that time people were discriminated for skin color which is a different part of DNA. I would genetically engineer my child without question. I dont see anything wrong with it as long as my kid treats his/her fellow man as equal as themselves. The reason why I wouldn't even think twice is because good parents spend the first 18 or so of their childs life trying to make their kid the best they can be. I say why not just do that from the start and develop values in the child without the work of trying to make your kid a hard worker or a smart person when they were not born like that.
ReplyDeleteWhat a complex film! I was instantly intrigued by the play on the title in the relation to DNA bases. It was well thought out. After viewing, I questioned whether or not this could happen or is currently happening in our world, and honestly, I do think we are headed for this path. However, this world is divided in so many ways with so many opinions that we would have the humanity to declare such an option unethical. Based on my thinking, I could see even the scientists deciding against it due to how it would violently interrupt mother nature's course in creating super humans. Leading me to my next point: if we're all spectacular, are we really so? I don't believe someone is truly unique and talented if said person has been programmed that way. In addition, I was reminded of a thought my friend had of whether the world would be complete if we happened to achieve every improvement we see ourselves mastering. Would we be happy? Would we have a sunnier future? I don't think so. Getting what you want only leaves you wanting more which is known to not bring happiness, unfortunately. It turns out you were running in the wrong direction all along. If we chose to do this to our kids, then everything in life would bring on an air of competition. One after the other people would make their children's traits increase. And what then? Is there a finish line? I assume it would lead to our doom or demise. So personally, I believe in the freedom of our species growing toward their unique futures whatever they may be. I am one who believes in a good God who has a plan for every child, including my own, and however they can impact the rest of the world with their inner individuality. Because we all have voices and what we want to be and choices of what we can do. Raising the bar only makes life more complex on ourselves. Relax, enjoy, and just live.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed watching Gattaca because I think that this could easily happen in the future. Maybe even in the near future. We already know a lot about DNA and could take someone elses DNA and make it seem as if it were our own. Also creating the perfect child like Vincent’s brother. When Vincent says we have discrimination down to a science he means that people are discriminated because of what their genes are. Like how his brother could get any job because he had all of his parents best genes. While Vincent did not get the best genes he can't get some elite jobs. I would want my child to be genetically engineered. Because they would have a better chance at getting a good job and being successful in life, as in the movie.
ReplyDeleteHaving watched GATTACA in class and spending the previous months in Biology learning about genetics, I can most definitely see GATTACA becoming a future possibility. Although expressed differently, I see no large threat with discrimination. Our society is filled with varying characteristics and appearance traits that would make for a still various society if genetic engineering in humans were to occur. A trait cannot be produced between to potential parents if it is not previously existent. For example, if Blonde hair is dominant over Brown hair and two homozygous Blondes go to a genetics lab to alter the sperm and egg of their future child, a brown hair child could not be produced. Having said this, variety will still exist and discrimination will be no more threatening that it is now. Mental and Psychological challenges will be treated just the same and a child with such a disadvantage will be treated and given identical opportunities to those who do not have such disadvantages. At this point, I find it shocking that the directs of GATTACA have dismissed our society as one reliant upon dismissing others. We are a generally kind species and should not assume the worst of ourselves. If given the opportunity and the assurance that no genetic malfunctions would occur, I would likely procreate in this form with whomever I choose to marry. The outcome of this experiment would still be the production of both my husband and I, but would simply be the combination of all of our best traits and qualities.
ReplyDeleteI believe this could happen in real life. While I think it is a good idea if we could prevent some harmful traits from being passed on but choosing everything about your child before they are born I don't agree with. If i could choose I would get rid of some traits but mostly I would want it to be random like it is now. When Vincent says that we now have discrimination down to a science he means that people are not going to discriminate like they do now they are going to judge you based on what traits you have and if you were engineered like everyone else. If having a child ends up like in "GATTACA" I would probably end up doing doing it even though I think it is wrong I would want my child to be the best they can be.
ReplyDeleteI could see A thing like this happening in the future. When he said they have discrimination to a science I think he means that they are discriminating people due to their genetics. If your genes aren't the same genes as a genius then you're gonna be discriminated against. The movie has eliminated all flaws from the human society. I do not think that this is a good thing for the us. I do not think that we should be able to genetically engineer ours kids to be perfect. I think if this were to happen there would be no competition. Everybody would want to give their kids their best traits I mean everybody wants the best for their child. One day it may be possible i just dont think it is a good thing.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI do believe that this will happen in the near future to the point where I am nervous about how our society will turn out. The reasoning behind my prediction is that our society is constantly striving for perfection: perfect house, perfect car, perfect, hair, clothes, all around a perfect life. The opportunity to add to this man-made perception of perfection seems like just the thing our country is looking for. Vincent says that we now have discrimination down to a science meaning that now a person’s genetic makeup can cause other people to discriminate against those who are deemed less than perfect as well as discriminating against their thoughts and opinions. I believe that humans aren’t meant to control everything in life. If it meant possibly eliminating any chance of diseases or defects in my child, then I definitely would consider engineering my future child for their own sake. In regards to whether or not I would agree with taking the best traits from me and my partner and passing them on, I would leave it alone and stick to what is meant to be.
I think Gattaca was a great movie. It was almost a scientific way of showing what is going on in our society today. Since Vincent was not genetically engineered, he couldn’t work at Gattaca even if he was smart . That’s just like if you try out for a musical and you can sing really good, but you don’t “look” the part. It is discrimination. I really liked how the movie went through a story of how Vincent would do anything it takes to achieve his dream of going into space. Even if it meant using someone elses DNA and identity. I think this movie may be a representation of what our future may be like. I think picking the traits of your own child would be wrong and there would be less diversity in the world. This movie showed that you can beat the odds and achieve anything if you try hard enough.
ReplyDeleteWhat's funny about this movie was it was probably made to be the future, but it's now happening right now. When Vincent says that we now have discrimination down to a science he means that people are banned from jobs and maybe even schools or sports teams because they're genes aren't good enough. To be honest, if I had a child I would probably choose certain genes to try to make him or her more successful in life and as much as people would like to deny it, they probably would too. Why wouldn't you give your child the best chance in life? Many people would claim your'e cruel if you didn't. However, going totally overboard takes away the difference between humans, we would no longer be unique. Taking away the chances of diseases and making them smarter isn't really bad though...I think that while there is a lot of things you could fix and that's good, also having a lot of unique characteristics is also good because it makes you and me different.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed watching this movie. It shows that you can really what ever you want to do as long as you try your hardest. I do believe that in the future this could happen but it would be a very long time until this will be able to happen. I believe that we will be able to completely genetically create our kids. I, myself, would never genetically engineer my child. I wouldn't do this because that takes everything special out of having a child. Why know how your child will exactly look like? There's absolutely no surprise or worries about having a kid if you genetically engineer it. I would take my chances and see how my child turns out. I want having a child and seeing it grow to be an adventure that I don't know the end to. I don't want the child to feel like it was made for a specific reason.
ReplyDeleteAs a whole, the story line of "GATTACA" seemed quite different than our society today. But in reality, this could easily occur in our society with our rapid increase in scientific technology. As of now, there are many studies on genetic engineering. Discoveries are appearing very fast as a result. At the speed of increase right now, our society could easily become as extreme as in the movie. But this would be unethical. In my opinion, genetically engineering your children is wrong. This method eliminates the child to be who they really are. Instead, they are whatever their parents want them to be like. They will ultimately lose the individuality and alter what they want to do with their lives. But Vincent proves that he did not need to be genetically engineered in order to be successful. Anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Vincent embodies this exactly. All he did was use Jerome's DNA to aid him in fulfilling his dreams of going into space. But he did not borrow his brain, that was all him. His naturally constructed brain, and his hard work.
ReplyDeleteI honestly think one day life could be like it was in GATTACA. When he says they have discrimination down to a science he was saying that now they have discrimination on such tiny specific things (DNA) and not just broad things like skin color or gender anymore. They have perfected discriminating people for their DNA; not even giving them a chance if they had regular DNA. I think if I lived in that world, I would genetically engineer my kid for their benefit. Although I wouldn’t agree with it, I wouldn’t want to set my kid up for failure in terms of everyone else. I wouldn’t want them to have to fake their DNA just to get a good job and live a normal life. I wouldn’t want my kid to have to work 10 times harder just to keep up with everyone else and fear dying young their whole lives.
ReplyDeleteThe movie GATTACA could possibly be in the near future. Our advancement in genetic technology is growing rapidly with a spiking interest in the subject. By the time our generation has children it's possible that the movie's setting would be an equivalent to our modern day. If this were to happen I would genetically engineer my child to be the best they can be. Only because I don't want them to be discriminated against if they don't have the best genes, it would be safe for them. In the movie Vincent states they have discrimination down to a science, meaning it all has to do with genes, even though it's illegal to discriminate in that way they will to ensure they have top notch DNA working for them. This is why I would want my child to have the best opportunities in life, because discrimination is a war that never ends, when we have a way of scanning DNA to see who preforms the best at that job we need to do what we can to give our children a fair shot.
ReplyDeleteI think that GATTACA was a good movie. I really enjoy science fiction and futuristic movies, so this strong element of science in such an exciting, thought-provoking movie was perfect for me. The movie made me wonder if genetic engineering would ever come that far. If I had a child in a society that discriminated against non-engineered children, then I think I would eventually feel forced to and would do it so that my child wouldn't face a hard time like Vincent did. Ethically though, I still believe that it is wrong. I find it extremely frightened that in the movie, people were discriminated against at a molecular level-as if discrimination based on appearance wasn't bad enough! I think this said a lot about humans as a whole: that we look for every kind of way to discriminate against each other.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching GATTACA I was in a feeling of unsureness and renewed with a new idea of what the future could be like at least medically, which often times in movies isn't shown up close. The idea of discriminating against what you have genetically is absolutely and completely unethical. It is the same as having a royal family's that rule over the country. I would be completely against it because of how unethical it is. Now putting that aside if there we genetically improve our offspring I would but without the fact that being genetically improved moves you up in life. Although one exception would defiantly be sports because then we would get the best possible that's really what you want as a fan. I enjoyed the movie, it gave a new thought or direction to think of when thinking about the future.
ReplyDeleteOverall, GATTACA is a really good science fiction movie, but I think it is just that, science fiction. I think that something like this could happen in the far off future, but I think by the time we could do this that they would have found a way to cure some of the diseases that were still around. In the movie when Vincent said that they had discrimination down the a science, by that he meant that they really did. If you had bad genes then you were not given the same opportunities than other people that had "better" genes then you. If we had the technology to have something like this than yes I would have my child get the best genes that he could.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed watching GATTACA in class. I thought it was very cool what they did and as I think about it now a days, it may be something that could possibly come up in our world in the next few hundred years. When he says they have discrimination down to a science, it explains itself. In GATTACA they discriminate the natural born humans. They have everything set up to make sure you are genetically engineer, for example, the finger print and the blood sample. They want everybody to be the best they can be, they want everyone to be truly perfect. If I were in this situation, where the world discriminated natural babies, I would genetically engineer my child. The only reason I would choose to do this is because it offers them more opportunities when they grow older in life. I would never want my child to be discriminated at school or at work. I would want my child to be open to whatever he or she wants to do when they grow older, and if he or she was natural born, there would be a whole ton of restrictions.
ReplyDeleteI will admit, I am a sucker for romance. Though I do like Divergent and other actions, I'm more into Nicholas Sparks and movies that I will bawl my eyes out. I'm such a stereotypical girl. But I did enjoy Gattica, although I wish they had better cameras, But the acting was great. Even the plot was really entertaining. If I lived in this time, I sadly would genetic my child. All because I wouldn't want him to face the problems that he had to face. Imagine having a child that you know will not be able to succeed? I want to have my child be equal and have the ability to get somewhere so I would admit I would. Though I would rather not, would you have a choice?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI think that the movie GATTACA had some moments that seemed far fetched but generally, there was some genetic related information that could be seen in the relatively near future. There have already been many genetic achievements such as stem cell research, so genetic engineering, though it might not be just like in the movie, could be the next step. People have already been choosing egg/sperm donors, based on the phenotype, so engineering a child based on genotype could happen soon. The movie did present a problem that could result from genetic engineering though, because if everyone gets too wrapped up in perfection, there will be no exception for flaws. This would lead into scientific discrimination, like Vincent said, which I think means that there will be scientific proof that someone is “inferior”, it won't only be an opinion.
i think it could defiantly happen i don't think at first it would be as public and something to be proud of because it would find be like here is my fake child so i think people would do it but it would not be as public. also i think he means that we discriminate because of science. finally yes of course i would genetically engineer my child because it would help them in life.
ReplyDeleteTo fully answer your questions, The movie was taking discrimination to the next level. People everywhere judge people on how they look and act. In this movie however, they have started judging people based on if they are genetically pure or not. That's what they mean when they say it is down to a science. I would definitely consider engineering my child only to get rid of diseases or early death causes. But like i said before the magic in in the mystery. It seems like a much more amazing experience to leave it to chance. I'm not as against it as I was before because like the movie said, it is still you. Just the best part of you. I want to make my child have the best opportunities in life, and I think that it may be worth it to genetically engineer your child if that's the only way the child can succeed.
ReplyDeleteI thought that GATTACA was a little far out there for what could happen soon.
ReplyDeleteAlthough i see that some of it would be possible, I am not sure i science considers it ethically right at the moment. I think what Vincent means when he says that we now have discrimination down to a science is that if they weren't perfect, or excellent genetically, then they had something to pick on. This one of the main reasons why i think that the science behind that is ethically wrong. I would not have my kid genetically engineered, unless it was vital to his future. If he/she couldn't live normally without it, then i would.
This could happen but I don't think it will, religion and ethics come into play and I don't think it would workout in society. I personally wouldn't genetically engineer my child because I feel you'd miss the sort of excitement of seeing what your child will look like and traits or who your child favors. Picking traits could wipe out many different traits and we all could start looking similar. We were all made to be different and have flaws.
ReplyDeleteI think that what happened in GATTACA could definitely happen sometime in the near future. In the movie when they say that they have discrimination down to a science, that means that when people aren't genetically engineered to be perfect, they are considered a minority. If two people apply for a job, and one is genetically engineered and the other isn't, then the genetically engineered one will get the job because he is "better" than the other guy. If I got the opportunity to genetically engineer my child, I would choose to only make it so that he wont die as a child from disease or something else other than that I would want to leave most things to chance.
ReplyDeleteI think this could happen in real life with all the technology that we have, but I don't think it will. Many people cant afford to genetically improve their children, and a lot of people are against it. Some people might want to genetically improve their children, but I don't think everyone will. When Vincent says we have discrimination down to a science, I think he means that we worry about our genes, and if we dont have "good enough genes" we wouldnt be accepted by others. It depends on if life was like this and only genetically people were acceptable, but otherwise, I would never want my child to be genetically engineered because I wouldn't want my kid to be fake and like everyone else, I would want them to be real and their own person.
ReplyDeleteI think that this could happen in real life sometime in the near future. However I believe that this "perfect" society would collapse because everybody would have their child genetically engineered and there would be too many "perfect" people for the amount of jobs that are available. In the movie they no longer discriminate based on whether you are black or white, male or female, but instead they now discriminate by DNA. Though I believe that it is wrong to genetically engineer children I would genetically engineer my child to ensure that he would have the best opportunity to succeed.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching GATTACA I was contemplating many things. One of which was why is discrimination still such a big deal, after pondering on that for awhile I concluded its because there still has to be a low to be compared too when saying perfect, if everyone was perfect then technically no one would be perfect. So "lowers" are still required and will never stop existing because we will grip on to perfect forever. My child however will not undergo this because you are who you are and if you can't accept who anyone is and as long as they can prove themselves everything would be chill. This whole world could exist at one point but it will also come with other things and at that point we might also will probably be able to print hearts at that rate like in the movie 2057.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a pretty good movie, but I thought it was a little far-fetched. I mean, I guess its possible for it to happen in life, at least the part where he used another man's DNA to practically become him. But the part about where you have to get blood drawn to be admitted in, and they constantly take DNA from your work area to make sure you're really who you say you are, just didn't seem likely. Also, the part about genetically engineering your child, I find it very unlikely that this will happen in the future. I mean, the natural way just seems like the right way, and I'm sure others feel like this as well. When Vincent said they have discrimination down to a science, he meant that they can make people look their best when genetically engineered, and that the people who aren't will be discriminated against. I think having a genetically engineered child would be best, because I have severe depression, and I don't want that being passed down to my child, along with my asthma. But, on principle, I wouldn't have a genetically engineered child, simply because it is just wrong.
ReplyDeleteI thought GATTACA was a great movie when it came to the idea, but I personally think some of the acting and story was a bit dry. The pace of the film was very slow, almost painfully so, and it made it hard to focus on the good aspects of the film. Great ideas were present, but not executed in the best possible way. When Vincent said that we they had discrimination "down to a science", that concept scared me. The idea that in the future you are evaluated not as a person, but as a giant cell. I would not want my child to be genetically engineered, I believe in nature and God's will. Again, these are very hard questions to answer. I sincerely hope that these are questions about genetically engineering my child are ones that I wont actually have to make as a parent, and I hope that most of what happens in this film doesn't happen at all.
ReplyDeleteI personally think this movie was very interesting. I think it could really happen, but not exactly right away, possibly in 40 to 60 years. Vincent stated that " we now have discrimination down to a science," I take that as the new genetically modified generation is so alike they can't be compared physically to each other and the people that weren't genetically modified would be viewed as the underling. Ethics is a delicate subject; I'm not too attached to religion but I look towards science to try and explain everyday things to me. Therefore, I possibly would consider enhancements so my child/children would not be at a disadvantage.
ReplyDeleteThough I would question if the discrimination would flip-flop, children non-enhanced being given more chances and calling the children genetically-modified as guinea pigs, or a science experiment. I would most-likely get minor enhancements so my child/children wouldn't have to deal with glasses, like myself, to bypass surgery later on in life; possibly hazel eyes to match the rest of the family; along with normal height, which I seem to lack (Haha!). I wouldn't mind my child/children to be genetically engineered, but I would keep the information solely with personal immediate family only. This choice shouldn't be known for the world. Being raised the way I am, personal information is personal. People hopefully won't tattoo whether or not they were modified on their forehead.
With this in mind; I would want a few of my partner's and my best genes, but not all. Intelligence is earned, and people are intelligent in what they have a passion for. I wouldn't want to destroy my child's/children's creativity and passion. The best opportunities in life are earned. Columnist and a neurosurgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson didn't have everything handed to him on a sliver platter. He went from having the worst grades to becoming his school's 'most improved student' in his begining years of education. He was not modified, but followed his own and his mother's passion of learning to read and spell within a half a year. This is not genetics, but personal endurance. I myself was not the greatest student to begin with and I have worked hard to get to my education placement I am, and still am working hard to maintain it everyday. In respect to this idea, I would have my child/children work for what they want in life. Yes, I would be pleased with myself if they all showed early traits of John Nash in mathematics during a lesson in fourth grade, but that is naturally very rare.
People who wish to pursue this modification in humans must ALWAYS recall the past wonderful minds in our human existence. History proves that yes, brilliance is natural at times but rare, BUT earned brilliance is often hidden behind Einstein and many other great names. I believe a person's IQ can be raised naturally, if you have read "Flowers for Algernon," intelligence can be given to a human, but only lasts a short time. A person can feel deprived and depressed afterwards. If science can cause people to be intelligent, why can’t there be a natural way of earning it; there is. Madame De Stael, Bobby Fischer, Galileo Galilei, Wittgenstein, Blaise Pascal, John Mill, Swedenborg, Johann Wolfgang, and Leonardo Da Vinci; All these names come to mind and I am sure they were born with the gift of pure intelligence, though they had to work to maintain it. I would use genetic modification for my offspring, if I have any, to remove the chances of disability and physical appearance to make their success easily in the palm of their hand. If they let it fall, it falls; if they grasp it, it’s theirs to keep.
Wow Rosemary. This is amazing. I love your story about Dr. Carson. Plus you gave awesome examples of "intelligent" individuals that everyone should be familiar with.
DeleteWhile I don't think it very likely, I do see a scenario in which a dystopian society exhibited in GATTACA could actually become the new norm. If genetic engineering was to get rid of the bad reputation it currently has, and if it would become accepted in our society, I could see a movie like GATTACA being very accurate. When they talked about having discrimination down to a science, that meant that by using science the society was able to make a more "perfect" species of human, the not so perfect humans were considered "less" and therefore discriminated against. I would only genetically engineer my child if it was the norm. If the society made it so most people were engineered I would want my child to have an even level with the other children.
ReplyDeleteAll together, GATTACA was a great film, and actually seems very possible in the future. However, I don't believe that it's a good idea. If everyone could be genetically engineered, everyone would be the same; smart, athletic, no allergies and more. This would take away mankind's purpose, which is to challenge ourselves with the life we've been given. To overcome personal goals and obstacles. But if everyone is perfect, what's the point? Nobody would stand out and nobody would be unique. Weaknesses are what make us unique because everyone's weaknesses are different and provide challenge through life. Without it, it actually makes us weaker. Also, as a catholic I see that how God makes us is not for us to mess with. However for those who aren't, you're also losing purpose in your life by becoming "perfect". To add, what right do we have to alter how the next generation will be? Parents shouldn't be able to change the way their children were originally meant to be unless a life/death situation was involved or a serious medical case. Those waiting to enter this world aren't our property. They are people too. I would not have liked being perfect because I wouldn't have goals. Everything would come to me. In the movie, it's said "discrimination is down to a science". This is meant literally. If we genetically engineer people, those who can't afford getting engineering will be alone and discriminated. If I had the option to have my child, genetically engineered, I wouldn't take it. I feel he/she would enjoy life better with challenges and goals to conquer, while others will be the same and not unique and with limited purpose.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this could possibly happen in real life because those ideas aren't too far fetched from what scientists think we could do. When Vincent states that he has discrimination down to a science I think he is talking about how science has taken a huge leap and can pick and choose what you are going to look like and how you are going to act. I think I would genetically engineer my child because he would just have a better life and a better shot at making it in what he wants to do in life. If I could pick the best traits of me and my partner, I would do it because then it would be me and my partners "perfect" child. So if it was possible in the future I would want to give my child the best opportunities in life. If that means genetically engineering him, then I would.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I do think this could happen in real life maybe not now but possibly sometime in the future with increasing technology. When Vincent says that they have discrimination down to a science he is saying that people are now being discriminated against for things you can't even see with your own eyes just like he was being discriminated against for his DNA and not being let into the company. Although I do think it would be pretty nice to have a perfect genetically engineered child I don't think i would do it for my kid just because everyone has to have some flaws no matter what they are, and other kids might not like him if he is good at every single thing possible. Later in life if he had to deal with different challenges he might not have been used to them because of having such an easy childhood.
ReplyDeleteIn GATTACA the story was about Vincent Freeman, a man who since day one was considered a lesser being because his genetic traits were not selected by his parents, it was "up to God". Wanting to amount to great things his whole life, he was constantly shut down because of his poor genetic makeup. As far as this crazy technology goes, we are actually very close to being able to select our children's traits. In this futuristic society it is illegal for an employer to ask for a genetic sample to discover their genetic makeup, but they do it anyways and often don't give a high job to an "invalid", someone whose traits weren't picked pre-birth. This happens sometimes today even, with people turning down a job applicant because they are physically unfit for a job. If everyone starts picking their kids genetic makeup this type of discrimination will probably become quite frequent.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, yes, this could happen in real life. In a way, it already is.genetics hasn’t taken the reigns yet, but health of an individual can already deeply affect your career. Nobody wants to hire someone who is at high risk for heart failure, because that means they have to cover a more expensive health insurance policy. It can and almost definitely will happen, it’s just a matter of the science becoming more refined before it can be implemented on such a large scale. As far as the “discrimination down to a science” line, they are essentially using genetic superiority- something they find out about everyone now, as a means to discriminate in job placement and just overall position in the social hierarchy. No, I would not genetically engineer my child. Of course I would want my partner’s and my best traits to be passed on, but not artificially. Creating a genetically engineered child, or purposefully changing the traits of said child, is a pursuit of perfection. And quite frankly, I simply don’t believe in the word, or concept of perfect. We are all immensely valuable no matter what our condition- even if you do only have a life expectancy of 30.2 years, that time limit can truly change lives, and make dreams come true.
ReplyDeleteThis is a scary thought if it were to truly happen. I think somewhere down the line with this society this will happen. It's a scary thought because if you aren't born right then you can't change anything about you. Even if you do change boss' as jobs will not accept you because you don't have approved written all in your blood. I would not want to engineer my child because I think it is a gift to be alive and even if you don't have the best traits it's still a gift. Everyone deserves something good to come to them, but they have to earn it. A trait defines someone, not something you are given.
ReplyDeleteI loved when we watched GATTACA in class, it was such a fascinating movie. The ending was a bit bittersweet, but was definitely justified and very poetic. At the time of its making, the movie’s concept may have seemed a bit “out there,” but as technology progresses, the idea of genetic engineering is altogether very possible and could definitely take place sometime in the not-too-distant future. When it came to “discrimination down to a science” I questioned the phrasing. Maybe it is wrong to think less of those who aren’t genetically “perfect” but at the same time it makes sense to only want the healthiest people possible to complete physically demanding tasks. I feel like these are the words of a bitter person.
ReplyDeleteAs to when it comes to the ethicality, what’s wrong with wanting a child who is guaranteed to be healthy? To be able to make sure a person can have the best life possible is a gift.