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GATTACA |
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Gattaca is "science fiction." It depicts a situation that could exist in the near future. Its premise depends on the ability to easily read and interpret the details of an individual's genes. The "Human Genome Project" has identified each human gene. The next task is determining what they do; then comes learning how to amend genetic instructions. As with almost every scientific discovery, these will have positive and negative potential. Even though it is still a "new" science, genetic manipulation has produced significant results, such as "manufacturing" bacteria to produce medically beneficial drugs and more productive crops. Of course, there is substantial controversy about producing food from altered plants and animals - some of which may be rational.
Health
insurance companies are very interested in human genetic research
results – which is causing other persons considerable concern.
Health insurance premiums are based on the possibility of any
particular individual contracting a particular disease. So long as
the chances any person requiring specific types of health care are
random chance, premium rates are calculated based on the statistical
probability (i.e. "actuarial science"). If a person is
genetically predisposed to a particular disease, is it not reasonable
that that person pay a higher premium for health insurance since he
or she has a higher statistical probability of incurring those
expenses? On the other hand, if the genetic code only predicts
predisposition, not inevitability, would higher insurance premiums be
just another unfair discrimination? |
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If it becomes possible to not only identify which genes control which bodily characteristics but to also modify genes to prevent undesirable characteristics (such as genetic "diseases"), other problems must be faced. Some of those have been discussed for many years. There has been substantial intellectual debate about whether genetic surgery should be permitted to change genetic structures for purposes other than correcting errors. Even if the answer is "no, " what is an "error" – is a probable I.Q. of less than 125 an error? - less than 100? - less than 75? |
As reported in The Futurist (Mar-Apr 2000, p. 65): "Gene therapy may one day improve people's learning abilities and reverse the effects of aging on memory. Neurobiologists have added a single gene, NR2B, to mice, increasing their ability to solve problems, learn, and retain information about their environment. As the mice aged, their brains retained the functional capabilities of the juveniles." |
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This movie assignment allows one to engage in more discussion about "what the law ‘should' be" than the others do. The basic assignment is: Based on Gattaca, what (if any) laws may have to be changed? The following suggestions are only suggestions. Probably the first task is identifying, as precisely as possible, the actions or policies, or both, which are, in Gattaca, made possible by genetic science. Then one might identify those which are less than desirable, and why. Then one might identify (based on the course text) what law or laws might be used to alleviate the undesired results. If those laws might need amending, or some additional provisions, the specifics of the changes should be discussed. It might be an interesting project to draft a statute to accomplish the desired result. In all of that, the result should be an objective, logical analysis of both the perceived problems and proposed solutions. |
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