The Science of Improving a Human Population by Controlled to Increase the Occurrence of Desirable Inheritable Characteristics
Essay by people • August 9, 2011 • Study Guide • 372 Words (2 Pages) • 2,243 Views
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2. Define Eugenics: The science of improving a human population by controlled to increase the occurrence of desirable inheritable characteristics.
3. Examine and discuss in detail what ethical and moral issues "Gattaca" might encourage its viewers to think about: I think that the main moral and ethical issues presented to the viewers in this film are the discrimination of someone considering their genetic makeup or the way they were born. Rather it be natural or unnatural. The main form of discrimination around the world is racial prejudice which is genealism, which is portrayed in this film. These forms of discrimination are morally wrong and unethical in many ways and shouldn't be committed by any one in any place around the world. Gattaca is morally beneficial in many different aspects. The most commonly brought up issue in the film is if the parents should be allowed to choose attributes of their children in the future through genetic engineering.
4. In the film, discuss in detail how and why does DNA play the primary role in determining social class? DNA plays a big role in determining social class because, the film presents a vision of a society driven by liberal eugenics where potential children are selected through preimplantation genetic diagnosis to ensure they possess the best hereditary traits of their parents. A genetic registry database uses biometrics to instantly identify and classify those so created as "valids" while those conceived by traditional means are derisively known as "in-valids". While genetic discrimination is forbidden by law, in practice it is easy to profile a person's genotype resulting in the valids qualifying for professional employment while the in-valids considered more susceptible to disease, educational dysfunction and shorter lifespan are relegated to menial jobs. The movie draws on concerns over reproductive technologies which facilitate eugenics, and the possible consequences of such technological developments for society. It also explores the idea of destiny and the ways in which it can and does govern lives. Characters in t his movie Gattaca continually battle both with the society and with themselves to find their place in the world and who they are destined to be according to their genes. Overall their destiny is determined by what traits or characteristics they inherit from their parents.
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