The World of Gattaca: Genetic Perfection Essay

Genetic perfection seeks to provide solutions to problems that humankind faces (Von Burg, 2010). It uses technology to develop ideas that can be adopted in the lives of human beings both in the short-term and in the long-term. Gattaca is a film based on the scientific fiction that allows the viewers understand ways in which technology can be adopted in the lives of human beings through the inclusion of reproductive ideas to develop individuals that are superior to humankind. Vincent, the main character of the film, is conceived through the power of technology and he possesses superior characteristics and behavior than the normal human being. His conception is classified as part of those that have a probability of developing disorders since they are the control experiment of the perfect genetic eugenic. His parents are aware of the invalidity of the genetic selection they made which means that they develop a negative attitude towards their child from the time he is conceived (Von Burg, 2010). Vincent's parents are convinced that their son would never see beyond his thirtieth birthday. This provokes them to consider a perfect genetic selection for their second child, Anton. Despite the disabilities, disorders, and negativity that surrounds Vincent's conception, he dreams of pursuing a career in space travel (Banner, 2011). His parents are quick to remind him that he may not be able to achieve his dreams since his genetics are inferior compared to those of Anton. Vincent leaves home after he saves his brother from drowning. (A justification for using the above structure helps create a background and foundation for the essay. It helps readers understand why Vincent was considered imperfect based on the criteria used to measure perfection in the society that he lived.)

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Vincent joins Gattaca Corporation as a cleaner. Since he classified as an invalid, he is expected to do manual work while individuals perceived to valid get opportunities to pursue their dreams (Klohs, 2014). Vincent uses his wit and poses as a valid to get a pass in the organization that is strict about the type of people that it admits to working in different positions. Vincent uses Jerome Morrow's skin, blood, skin, a valid who had had an accident so that he can pass the DNA tests embraced in the Gattaca Corporation. Vincent manages to hide his identity for a long time and even manages to rise to rising to the position of a navigator for a project in Titan. Vincent is aware that he has to put in more effort than his colleagues at work. This necessitates him to maintain a close and friendly relationship with Jerome who provided him with the genetic samples. In addition, he had to maintain a high level of cleanliness so that only Jerome's DNA could be detected during the scanning process. (A justification for illustrating the effort that Vincent put so that he could succeed in an environment that was dominated by individuals considered to be valid indicates that he was committed to achieving his dreams despite the limitations and shortcomings he faced in his quest. Further, Vincent wanted to prove that genetic perfection or imperfection did not determine the kind of life that an individual would live (Banner, 2011). The society and assumptions made about the valid and invalid people limited their ability to engage in similar activities. His ability to manipulate the scanners at his workplace by hiding his true identity proves that the developers of genetics made misplaced assumptions and conclusions about the abilities of babies conceived from the different combinations.

Vincent manages to be part of the team selected for the launch of the project and realizes that doctor Lamar, who was in charge of verifying whether workers at Gattaca corporation were invalids or valid had known that he presented wrong information (Von Burg, 2010). The doctor assures Vincent that he had managed to inspire many people including his son who Lamar thought was an invalid like Vincent. Vincent also manages to meet with his brother, Anton, who had been the detective at the case in his workplace where one of his colleagues had killed another employee. Anton informs his brother that being at Gattaca Corporation was illegal since he was an invalid. Vincent retorts that he had raised up the ranks based on his skills and that he was justified to occupy the position because he had worked hard to achieve his dreams. This justifies that despite the genetic imperfection that Vincent had, he managed to achieve his dreams. Vincent believed in himself and understood that his parents' definition of success was not the basis for his dreams. He understood that as long as he knew what he wanted with his life, then it would be possible for him to achieve his dreams. He used his wit and knowledge to hide his identity as proof that invalids were equally talented and gifted like the valid individuals. (A justification for explaining how Vincent managed to hide his identity throughout the training session is a confirmation that determination pushes individuals to remain committed to their objectives.)

References

Banner, O. (2011). The postracial imagination: Gattaca's imperfect science. Discourse, 33(2), 221-241.

Klohs, K. (2014). More Human than Human!: How Recent Hollywood Films Depict Enhancement Technologies-And Why. In The Human Enhancement Debate and Disability (pp. 183-203). Palgrave Macmillan, London.

Von Burg, R. (2010). Cinematic genetics: GATTACA, essentially yours, and the rhetoric of genetic determinism. Southern Communication Journal, 75(1), 1-16.