Gattaca, the sci-fi thriller shown at Rose House this past Friday, depicts a “not too distant future” in which society is driven by eugenics and organized hierarchically on the basis of genetic perfection. The film, beyond painting a vivid picture of the social consequences of eugenics, provides potent commentary on the role of discrimination in our society.

While this film is largely about the consequences of eugenics, I think that it truly speaks to a larger issue of systemic discrimination. By presenting such an extreme case of discrimination within this fictional society, the film encourages viewers to be introspective about the discrimination present in their own lives and society. One moment in the film which particularly struck me was when the main character, Vincent, described the various ways in which employers skirt the laws to discriminate against “in-valid”, or not genetically-modified, people. There are a variety of ways this kind of disregard for legality currently exists in our own society, specifically related to discrimination against women or people of color. In the way this connects to our own experiences the film potently displays how, even outside of the context of eugenics, the organization of our society fosters systemic discrimination and marginalization of specific populations. This speaks to the necessity of certain other social changes that are required before our society is capable of using eugenics as a solely beneficial tool, or rather if it is possible for eugenics to exist in our society without this kind of social consequence.

In regard to this concern, the film’s opening quotes present two opposing points on the issue of eugenics in stark contrast;
“Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?”
-Ecclesiastes 7:13
“I not only think we will tamper with Mother Nature. I think Mother wants us to.”
-Willard Gaylin

On a side note, I take slight issue with the use of a biblical quote to describe the concern with eugenics, because it implies that objection to eugenics is seated in a sort of reverence for humans as a creation of a deity. I think that there are a variety of objections, on the basis of social and ideological impact, to eugenics which are not grounded in religion or necessarily “unscientific.” These revolve around the kind of sociocultural mechanisms which are in place in our society which create an environment which would breed detrimental consequences.

It seems that if there is a place in science and society for eugenics, it must be strictly controlled. If anything, it seems that this film depicts the slippery slope scenario of this practice, and perhaps speaks to the need for some degree of social or political change in regard to this issue and other issues of discrimination. This brings up a strong point about if we should participate in eugenics, given the damaging social practices that such a practice breeds. I would hope that there would eventually be a way to try to help people with the use of eugenics, without creating a damaging sociocultural cycle which creates the kind of dystopia presented in Gattaca.