Gattaca

Jessica Camano October 21, 2016 Extra Credit Assignment In 1883, Francis Galton developed the social philosophy of eugenics. Eugenics is based on the idea of improving human genetic traits by increasing the reproduction of people that contained desirable traits, positive eugenics, and decreasing the reproduction of people that contained undesirable traits, negative eugenics. Galton believe that it was possible to create a population of highly “gifted” people through the process of selective…

A 1995 study conducted by Swiss zoologist Claus Wedekind found that, when asked to choose between T-shirts with different body odors, women tended to prefer those of men with certain genes dissimilar from their own (cite mult sources that mention). From this “smelly T-shirt experiment” arose the process of genetic matchmaking, in which comparisons of two individuals’ specific genes in an effort to determine romantic compatibility (cite source), known as MHC genes (cite mult. sources). Multiple…

In this famous quote by Mark Twain, he discusses how he views the importance of finding ones meaning in life, and what it means to them to be a human. To many people, being human is about being free, or just being kind. To fully be human one must not only show one single trait but many traits. There are many texts and lectures that have influenced what it means to me to be human. Texts such as Machinal by Sophie Treadwell and speakers like Chris Baker of Ink 180 have shown me what it truly means…

or Are genetically engineered people still the same as those who are not? Many of these questions have not been answered due to the fact science fiction has presented many different theories to them. Like the movie “Gattaca” says yes because it doesn’t matter if you are genetically engineered because genes cannot be changed to always have good traits. Because the main Character Vincent was genetically engineered but still had troubles with his heart. Or A.I. which shows…

CRISPR. It sounded like a new cereal or snack food when my AP Biology teacher first mentioned this technology. Instead, she introduced a gene editing tool developed in 2011 by Jennifer Doudna, a graduate of Pomona College. Using proteins that precisely cut DNA, scientists can make specific genome edits, which have already resulted in cures for mice with sickle cell anemia. Almost daily, I hear about research that cures even more genetic diseases using this technique. This technology fascinates…

Think about all of the foods, medications, and other products that we as a society have consumed over the years. Now think about all of the products that our grandparents and great grandparents consumed in their lifetimes. How have these products changed over the last 50-70 years? These products have changed dramatically due to the introduction of genetic modifications. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have created great controversy over the last few years. In one article entitled…

Human Genetic Engineering: A Hero Discovery or a Society Divider? In 1997, the film Gattaca was created, which showed the public a futuristic idea of humans being able to edit and modify human genes to create “valid” humans as well as “invalids”. Today, this futuristic idea from 19 years ago has become a not so out of reach reality for society today. Human genetic engineering is the process of either adding improved DNA or deleting sections of a person’s DNA and then adding more efficient DNA in…

GATTACA, a movie directed by Andrew Niccol and the main characters are Vincent Freeman and Jerome Morrow, is the world that is run by DNA tests. If someone doesn’t have the correct sequence of DNA format, then they are restricted to what they can do in the workforce. Vincent falsifies his DNA and changes his identity with Jerome, who has perfect DNA to get into an astronomic organization that sends astronauts into outer space. Taking a sperm cell from a male and an egg cell from a female, and…

either similar or different aspects of discrimination. To explore my chosen theme Discrimination often Causes both Harms and Goods, I have chosen a novel: Noughts & Crosses, written by Malorie Blackman; two films: 42, directed by Brian Helgeland, and Gattaca directed by Andrew Niccol. Lastly the short independent film The Butterfly Circus directed by Joshua Weigel. To begin with. In the fictional dystopian novel: Noughts & Crosses, written by Malorie Blackman, the main protagonists Sephy, a…

practice is similar to a religion. Texts The book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks inspired our topic because it reveals the direct involvement of eugenics with the involuntary sterilization of poor black women in 1920s-1930s Mississippi. Gattaca. By Andrew Niccol. Perf.…