Even though Gattaca was released 25 years ago, its topics and questions remain interesting and educative for modern viewers for many reasons to understand human rights, interpersonal relationships, and overall dignity issues. The movie introduces a dystopian world where genetic engineering and DNA analysis determine people’s quality and class predisposition and divides society into valid and in-valid. Vincent is the main character, whose genotype profiling results reveal possible neurological disorders (60%), manic depression (42%), heart disorder (99%), and life expectancy of about 30 years and two months (Niccol). The man decides to resist genetic discrimination and uses the biomaterial of another person to find a good job and achieve his life-long purpose, which is a space travel career. With the help of several people, Vincent cheats the system and proves that genetically weak humans might do more significant things compared to those with high expectations and strong genetics.
In the movie, the character decides not to accept the inevitability of genetic predisposition and chooses to develop his skills to achieve his dream. He does not fully understand why his mother preferred to put her faith in God, not a local geneticist, during his birth (Niccol). At the same time, he thinks it is wrong to discriminate against people using only one clear argument, which is poor genetics. Similar elements of immoral behavior and inappropriate decision-making can be observed in divine command theory. The main assumption of this theory is that God defines morality, and people should obey His commands as the only morally right action (Danaher 382). Gattaca’s argument about poor reasons for judging human behaviors exemplifies this theory. God’s will is the only principle according to which people should live. No other impacts are as critical as the power of God, and Vincent is ready to break the rules and demonstrate the fallacy of technological progress. Divine command theory aims at promoting opportunities and choices, which is the major goal for Gattaca’s characters to achieve.
The impact of genetic programs is mentioned in Gattaca to explain the development of corporate relationships, economic aspects, and the worth of human life, raising the issue of bioethics. The chosen science fiction combines the principles of morality and science in rather aggravating ways to show how human enhancement challenges society (Gordijn and ten Have 277). The ethical implications of genome research provoke the creation of new regulations and policies under which people need to cooperate. Instead of examining individuals according to their abilities and knowledge, it is more important to focus on their genetic codes and see what science thinks of them. Genetic engineering is no longer supportive but a narrow, technically advanced field that diminishes the role of humans. The movie refers to the issue of bioethics through recognizing biology, technology, and medical interventions in human development. Michael Bérubé defines the movie as a discussion of civil rights and the core of discrimination that lies not in people but science (qtd. in Fahn 5). Instead of using biological materials to improve life quality and predict health problems, technologies make people dependent and prejudiced about their decisions and possibilities.
Vincent is the character who makes an ethical decision and chooses not to follow the routine lifestyle as other characters do. He does not want to accept his in-valid status and find a way to break the system and get the job of his dream. His actions are ethical as they correspond to the principles of divine command theory – to do what God orders, not what society offers. In the movie, people start neglecting the power of God and rely on science as the only appropriate way to identify physically strong individuals. They forget about religion and faith as measurements of emotional well-being and stability. Vincent is not ready to deal with his genetically weak history and cheats to mislead others for his benefit. His decision is not ordinary because other employees of Gattaca have never taken similar actions. Although some characters like Dr. Lamar and Jerome Eugene Morrow understand that the system is not perfect, they can neither act nor openly resist society. They observe what Vincent does, believe in his originality, and support him occasionally.
Many philosophers develop different positions that contribute to a better understanding of the issue of bioethics, and Kant’s philosophy of a rational creature, dignity, and equality is one of them. Kant believed that people had rational thinking ability that allowed them to identify and follow the norms of the same moral law, demonstrate their inherent dignity, and gain respect in society. Thus, he took a position that could strengthen bioethical principles of justice, autonomy, and beneficence. Instead of admiring the benefits of medicine and technology, people must understand why biological (inborn) characteristics should prevail. Kant used reason in following moral obligations, but society was never the author of the moral law (Danaher 390). God defines the rules and observes how people accept his ideas, which divine command theorists also discuss. Therefore, Gattaca’s example of Vincent’s aspiration for justice and autonomy proves the connection between bioethics, divine command theory, and the dystopian failure of using genetics as a source of discrimination.
Works Cited
Danaher, John. “In Defence of the Epistemological Objection to Divine Command Theory,” Sophia, vol. 58, no. 3, 2019, pp. 381-400.
Fahn, Chia Wei. “Perfecting Bodies: Who Are the Disabled in Andrew Niccol’s Gattaca?” Philosophies, vol. 5, no. 2, 2020, pp. 1-13. MDPI, doi:10.3390/philosophies5020006.
Gordijn, Bert, and Henk ten Have. “Science Fiction and Bioethics.” Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, vol. 21, no. 3, 2018, pp. 277-278.
Niccol, Andrew, director. Gattaca. Sony Pictures Releasing, 1997.