I’d first like to mention that the title of this movie is ingenious–supposedly named after the city of Gattica, but spelled GATTACA so as to look like a string of DNA. The name actually refers to guanine, cytosine, adenine, and thymine, which are the nucleotide building blocks of DNA. Therefore, the film’s subject matter is known before the movie even starts, and I found that pretty cool.

I also found the subject matter of the movie, genetic discrimination, incredibly relevant. Congress is considering repealing GINA–the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act of 2008–which prevents employers from discriminating against employees, and insurance companies from discriminating against clients, because of one’s genotype. While it is not common for most people to have their genome sequenced or analyzed, it is a fast-growing trend. In my class, Personal Genomics, the Professor made it possible for all 150 of us to have our DNA tested for ancestry. We used a direct-to-consumer genetic test provided by 23andMe, and the group also provides health screening. This means that they can not only trace your DNA back thousands of years across the globe, but they can also tell you whether you are a carrier for genetic diseases (or if you have one). They can even tell you if you have a high chance of getting Alzheimer’s–a disease which currently has no cure. These types of companies will lead to more and more people getting their DNA analyzed for a lower and lower cost, and this is why legislation like GINA is incredibly important.

I’m not saying that if GINA is repealed we will fall into a class system based upon DNA like in Gattaca, but it may well be the first step towards having DNA be an everyday part of the workplace. As for the actual movie, I really enjoyed it. Though it could be argued that Vincent simply aligned with the status quo instead of trying to change the system, I got the sense that the system was so intractable that he would have been unable to do anything. At least he never would have gotten to go into space. And sometimes it’s okay to just focus on fulfilling your dream instead of trying to change the world. I saw how exhausting it was for Vincent to keep up the charade of being a “valid” person, and I think that’s all he had strength for. Changing a set status quo requires a change of public opinion, and that requires numerous people to sacrifice themselves for the goal of making the world better eventually. I’m not saying I wouldn’t have wished for Vincent to somehow tell everyone who he was and still go into space, but I understand why he acted the way he did. All in all, the movie raised important issues that society needs to consider, and the sooner the better.