Stacy Ann Welch
Eng. 101 (0768)
Dr. Vasileiou
Essay #1
Date 10/15/2012
A Perfect World, Not So Perfect
After reading “Annas”, “The Man on the Moon” and watching the movie “Gattaca”. I believe that they portray a dystopian world characterized by discrimination, oppression and anti-utopian elements. In the movie “Gattaca” a perfect world is described as being free of diseases, free of discriminating against gender, sex, and religion. Genetic engineering is introduced into this world and it promises to make mankind live this perfect life. In “Gattaca” authorities used illegal genetic testing in job interviews and they use blood and urine sample testing to identify people. Vincent’s dream is to be an Astronaut but it is very difficult to fulfill because he has to have a perfect gene in order to get the job. Vincent’s parents wanted to have another baby using genetic engineering because they were manipulated and believe that the baby would have better opportunities. Vincent’s brother was taller and better at anything he did. Even though, authorities no longer discriminate against gender or religion, they still discriminate on ones genes. Eradicating terminal illness will lead to over population which can cause a lack of resources and environment pollution. Genetic engineering is direct manipulation and interfering into people’s personal life.
All humans have dignity and are entitled to equal rights .The movie “Gattaca” portrays a dystopian world because people were not exactly equal. In the world of “Gattaca” they discriminated against people base on their genes. If you were born with any kind of conditions, you would be categorized as an invalid, whereas those who were born perfect are categorize as valid, which I think is absolutely absurd because in a perfect world everyone should be equal .According to Annas,”The universal declaration of human rights, the recognition that human rights are founded on human dignity is shared by all members of the human race without distinctions based on race, religion, or national origin” (230). This quote clearly stated that regardless of any kind of discrimination such as race, color, sex, language, religion, national origin or any other status you are entitle to equal rights. However, what “Gattaca” portrays is a world that is totally the opposite.
Genetic engineering is direct manipulation of an organism genome using biotechnology. Genetic engineering is designed to create a perfect society. Not everyone is perfect so there will be negative consequences. There is a risk that it may disrupt the functions of other genes. With genetic engineering appearing mankind would diminish and destroy the human’s dignity and equal rights. It is insane that you could make a perfect baby just by using genetic engineering. I think God is in control not science. Having a completely perfect child, does not ensure that the child is going to be better? According to Annas:
This is because of the inherent physical and psychological danger to children (and the overall danger they pose to children of treating them as manufactured products), and because there are existing alternative, less dangerous educational, exercise-based, medical, and surgical ways to achieve these goals. Parents should simply not be able to dominate their children in this fashion. (239)
This quotes states that genetic engineering is buying children to put them on special missions, and because they are already perfect and know everything there will be nothing a parent can do to help their children during childhood. It would be hard for a parent to cope with the fact that their kids don’t need them.
Eradicating illnesses will lead to over population. The increase of the population will cause economic difficulties. There will not be enough resources such as food, water and energy to provide for people. Also, over population can lead to an unhealthy environment because it increases pollution. In “Gattaca” the environment is clean but eradicating illness will cause a disaster. According to a scene in the movie “Gattaca” there was a doctor who also had a son who was genetically inferior but hoped to be an astronaut. He stated “Unfortunately, my son not all that they had promised. But then who knows what he could do”. This shows dystopia in the society and that many people in the society have accepted being discriminated against by their genes because there is nothing really they could do about it. This shows that human rights are being violated.
In conclusion the movie “Gatttaca” portrays a dystopian world because people are discriminated against in a world that is presented to be a utopia. However, I think that in the movie genetic engineering existed for all the wrong reasons. It manipulates people and takes away their equal rights. Furthermore, genetic engineering is designed to get rid of diseases which will cause a disaster. The book “The Man on the Moon” by Annas tells us that we cannot use science to determine what the future will be like and I agree.
No comments:
Post a Comment