The film Gattaca, released in 1997, tells a great story of the future
of the mixing of genetics and eugenics. In it, the future is filled with genetically
engineered people. While parents are not forced to genetically enhance their offspring,
it is encouraged, as only the enhanced have a chance of obtaining success. The
in-valids, as the naturally born citizens are called, witness much discrimination
and are looked upon as inferiors.
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| Vincent, of Gattaca was born naturaly, thus receives massive discrimination |
This very realistic and possible future will most likely be something that
we will have to deal with in our own future. Genetic breakthroughs are made everyday,
and we must start thinking about where we are to go with science.
All this abortion, birth control, and screening of diseases may seem like a good
idea to some, but others are not too hot about the ideas. Often the phrase "playing
God" is cried by protestors. Many people fear that in modifying the human
race and its genepool in order to achieve perfection, we are actually taking away
all that makes us human.
How far will these modifications go? Will we someday be fitted with computer
brains and mechanical limbs, stripped of our emotions (as they may be thought
to be silly chemical imbalances that only get in the way of progress)? And of
this progress, will there ever actually be a perfection that we can achieve, or
will we find ourselves in a constant battle to achieve something that does not
really exist?
With how much we have discovered in just the past 50 years as far as biological
and computer technologies, it is hard to even contemplate what we will have in
500 years, let alone another 50 years. How many more misguided sciences and holocausts
will we have to go through to reach these Visions of Perfection?
Please feel free to explore the remaining portions of our site, covering in-depth
information of genetics and cloning, and surgical modifications of the human body
(plastic surgery, prosthetics, and bionics). Also, make sure you check out our
discussion boards to leave your thoughts on everything you read.
