Gattaca - There is no gene for the human spirit

Gattaca
Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman & Jude Law
This week we are going to watch a movie set in the future. It is about manipulating genes to create perfect people.
Please think about the following questions/issues...

What do you know about DNA?
What is a DNA strand?
What is a chromosome?
Have you recently read or heard about a situation in which DNA testing was used?
What is DNA testing used for?
Explain the positive and the negative uses of DNA testing...
How is DNA fingerprinting done?

During a scene in Gattaca, Vincent’s parents visited a doctor who specialized in child conception to select the best traits for his future brother. They hoped that his brother would have the best possible chances for a successful life. Some of the traits mentioned in GATTACA included intelligence, height and any possibility of inheritable diseases.
If you decide to have a child one day and are given the opportunity to select for special traits, would you do so? Why or why not?


During a gala party scene in GATTACA, a woman submits a saliva sample from a recent kiss to screen her potential boyfriend/husband’s DNA. Is she violating his rights by doing this without his knowledge? Is this in anyway similar to performing a background check? How much would a DNA screen reveal about someone’s personality and intelligence?

Knowledge of one’s genetic information could affect the price of insurance. Insurance companies operate on a risk assessment basis, where individuals with a greater potential (possibility) of developing health complications are charged more than individuals who are deemed (thought of as) healthy. With current advancements in genetic testing, there is the potential (possibility) to favor those with “good genes.” It is quite possible that people classified (grouped) as high risk individuals may be denied (left without) the opportunity to purchase insurance. Do you think this is right?