GATTACA and genetic determinism

Abstract

Gattaca (1997) is a film that depicts a world in “the not-so-distant future” where naturally conceived humans are labelled as in-valids or de-gene-erates. In-valids form the lower class of society, while genetically selected embryos are called valids and form the elite. Genetic selection of embryos can be easily achieved by visiting “your local geneticist”. The valid and in-valid labels call to mind Heidegger's authentic and inauthentic self. In-valids are denied access to high-status positions, education, and other social institutions, and are assigned menial jobs and low-status work. Valids form the elite and hold higher status jobs, although their participation is determined according to their level of genetic perfection. The name of the movie comprises the initial letters of the four nucleobases of DNA: Guanine, Adenine, Thymine, and Cytosine.