Bryant Jakeman

Anthropology 1020
Professor Jennifer Campbell
10/13/2014

Change Is In Our Hands

I have chosen to write my reflection off of the 1997 Science Fiction movie Gattaca. This
film takes place in the not so distant future. In the world of Gattaca natural birth is somewhat of
an anomaly. The world has come to a point of artificial evolution. Where by the use of genetics,
only the best genes are passed down. Life expectancies are longer, people are at their physical
peak, and their mental capacities are maximized.
The film exposes a potential dark side to these advancements. No longer are your
achievements earned through hard work or merit. Your story is told completely through your
DNA. In this world job interviews are a thing of the past, a simple blood or urine sample will
determine your qualifications.
The film follows Vincent, one of Gods Children. Due to his natural birth, his DNA
told a story of an unremarkable destiny. He dreamed of visiting the stars, but was deemed unfit
for anything except custodial work. Vincent, not excepting his genetic fate, goes to intricate
measures to moonlight as Jerome Moore. Jerome is an exceptional genetic specimen. Vincent is
able to reach his goals and dreams under this guise against all odds.
This tale paints a picture of what life could be like with the advancements we are making
in the biological sciences. Physician, Dr. Harvey Fineberg, says that we are on the verge of a

Neo-evolution. With the advancements of the Human Genome project that began in 1990,
soon our genetic code will be available to the general population. (Fineberg, 2011) With this
code at our fingertips we will have the choice to direct evolution by selecting the genes we
choose to pass on. Much like Gattaca our genetic potential will be apparent even before birth.
Gattaca poses a unique moral dilemma that appears in such a society. In the film Vincent
is denied the opportunity to achieve his goals because of his inferior genetic makeup. He trained
and studied his whole life to become an astronaut, yet was not allowed any job besides custodial
work. This prejudice is not unique to this fictionalized society. People in our modern world face
discrimination based on the outward expression of their genotypes every day.
Today astronauts for NASA have to pass stringent physical and educational requirements
to be considered for space. NASA astronauts are required to pass strict military like physicals,
they are even required to be within a certain height parameter (Collins:MSFC, n.d.). I dont see
this being much different from Vincents refusal to the space program in the film.
With the advancements in the field of genetics we are starting to find certain traits we
didnt know about before. We have found out things like no one has ever climbed an 8,000 foot
peak without the presence of an ACE gene (Enriquez, 2012). Every single male Olympic power
athlete ever tested carries a 577R genotype variant (Enriquez, 2012).
What this means is that although no one is being targeted specifically for their DNA. Our
genotypes directly affect what we can, and cannot do. Race, gender, sexual orientation, and
physical appearance have all been targets for discrimination. Gattaca portrayed a future that was
bleak and elitist. I believe the future where genetics is heading wont be much different than our
own. Different social stratas and class systems have been and are in place in all prevailing

societies. I do agree that as we evolve in this neo-evolution we will see a rise of a new upper
class, because they are predisposed to be faster, smarter, and stronger. This generation will have
its struggles in the shift, but I feel that it is a future worth looking forward to!

Works Cited
1. Niccol, A. (1998). Gattaca. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

2. Fineberg, H. (2011). Are we ready for neo-evolution.

http://www.ted.com/talks/harvey_fineberg_are_we_ready_for_neo_evolution
3. Enriquez, J. (2012). Will our kids be a different species.
http://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_will_our_kids_be_a_different_species
4. Collins:MSFC, D. (n.d.). NASA - Astronaut Requirements [Feature Articles, Feature]. Retrieved
October 20, 2014, from
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/features/F_Astronaut_Requirements.htm
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