• Creates a society without expression or humanity

• Gattaca uniforms and work stations symbolism the control and conformity

• Genetically engineered seen as superior

• Every aspect of humanity put down to a science - evident through the DNA relationship test (sequencing)

In what ways does the pursuit of genetic perfection contribute to the dystopian nature of the world in Gattaca? What is Nicol warning against?

• Constantly chasing the idea of "perfection"

• Genetic perfection isn't a bad thing but to what extent/where do you draw the line?

• Gattaca - an extreme version of our society

Niccols condemns the use of technology to determine a persons worth as personified through Eugene who when he couldn't meet the high expectations of perfection it destroyed his self esteem and will to live. Technology is portrayed as an inhumane standard that judges something people cannot control instead of their intelligence and other human aspects. technology can be trusted to an extent in terms of determining your physical ability but not your mental. at the same time, this technology that only judges your genetic makeup and potential cannot judge human potential as it does not have human attributes

In Gattaca, the genetic hierarchy determines the characters' lives, “valids” receiving privileged positions and "in-valids" facing discrimination. Vincent, who is a faith, born, is marginalized despite his dreams, while Jerome, a genetically engineered "valid," struggles to live up to perfection. Niccol highlights the dangers of a society that prioritizes genetic perfection over individual skill, revealing the dehumanizing effects of reducing people to their genetics and arguing for the value of humanity.

In Gattaca, people in power use genetic information to control and limit individuals. Society is divided into "valids," who have perfect genes, and "in-valids," who are seen as inferior. People's opportunities are based on their DNA rather than their abilities or hard work. The movie shows how technology can create unfair systems, where power is abused to discriminate against people. It warns that relying too much on technology can lead to loss of freedom and personal choice.

• Genetic hierarchy will contribute to potential social inequality and have discrimination towards the ones that is marked as ‘imperfect’. And there are limitation on human’s potential and abilities. This criticises the real-world social hierarchies by highlighting the arbitrary and damaging nature of such systems.

Privacy is compromised in the world of Gattaca. In this world, civilians do not have any sense of privacy, due to frequent DNA testing. Some of the DNA testings and samples are evasive, such as blood withdrawals and urine samples etc. This contributes to the totalitarian society which Gattaca is. Peoples body matter is determinate of the peoples destiny, portraying the concept of fate and freewill, throughout the film.

• The game of chicken illustrates Vincent's fighting spirit and ambition

• "I never saved anything for the swim back"

• Contrasting to Anton, Vincent fights for everything he dreams for as a result of his "degenerate" lifestyle. Anton had everything handed to him and therefore was never pushed.

  
  

  How does the film celebrate the human capacity to overcome obstacles, even when the odds are genetically stacked against them?

• Dr Lamar demonstrates humanity as he shows the capacity to care and enable Vincent's dreams despite the unjust society of Gattaca

• The system failed Eugene and therefore he cared enough for Vincent to help him fight the system that failed him.

The Gattaca case presents ethical questions regarding autonomy due to the genetic engineer's ability to influence a person's life. Genetic composition restricts and judge characters, worsening societal inequity and restricting their personal freedom. Because an individual's life is predetermined by their genes rather than by their decisions or behaviours, this control reduces the individual's power to shape their destiny.

Gattaca explores the concept of genetic discrimination, through the inequalities between faith babies and genetically engineered people. This parallels to real-world issues such as racism and gender inequality, issues where people are discriminated against and have no control over. Degenerates are discriminated through not having equal opportunities. For example when Vincent was denied education and the fact that all faith babies end up working as janitors in the Gattaca corporation, rather than actual workers.

personal choices and experiences only enter relevance in shaping identity if you already meet the standard of being genetically engineered. yet vincent challenges this pre-determined fate, by following and pursuing his dreams and carving his identity outside of his genetic makeup. However, this is not known to other people as to them, his genetic makeup is his only measure of worth