dad edited version

The application of [human genetics research] [advancements in biotechnology on human beings] have brought worries of genoism and discrimination based on one’s genetic purity, onto society. (Kakmi, 2004). In anticipatiing dreaded future biological technologies, authors and filmmakers have used their talents to reflect upon genetic science. Through the societies of Gattaca and Brave New World, Andrew Niccol and Aldous Huxley respectively portrayed evolution in eugenics as the primary technological advance capable of transforming humanity. Both populaces residing in Brave New World and Gattaca face institutionalized discrimination in daily life, however, they differ on whether the individual can overcome inferiority in the new system. Both dystopian works examine the use of science in creating social inequality, the protagonist’s awareness of his inferiority, and the individual’s role in a eugenic future.

The dystopian texts criticized the role of genetic tools in the predestination of fates. The people of these worlds (what worlds???) were given their fates before their birth. Andrew Niccol portrayed Gattaca as a society where babies could be genetically modified by offering money to geneticists. The power to alter genes lied with scientists who could eliminate diseases, human disabilities, and shortcomings, depending the amount of money they are paid (Niccol, 1997). Meanwhile, the process invented and implemented to produce babies in Brave New World was called Bokanovsky’s Process (Huxley, year??, p.3). As a “modern fertilizing process” (Huxley, p.3), it was able to produce babies at an alarming speed referred to “assembly-line bioengineering of human beings”. (Astrachan, 1998, p.??). While brave new worlders were not born from a mother’s womb, residents of Gattaca retained the tradition of natural birth. Both approaches to human birth contributed to the caste system. The World Controllers in Brave New World ensured certain numbers of the five castes that were decanted or born from bottles. Each caste was created and further split into Plus and Minus members through purposely stunting growth by pouring doses of alcohol into the bottle of fetuses.

Due to the preselection of genes and genetic testing as the form of identification, two social classes existed in Gattaca as opposed to five castes in Brave New World. These classes are Valids and Invalids. In Gattaca, only those who were able to afford genetic alteration were likely to have genetically modified babies known as Valids. The poor parents who could not afford to consult a geneticist to select favourable traits were unable to guarantee their future children optimum success (Darnovsky, 2008). As the local geneticist cautioned, being born an Invalid was not “the best possible start” to life (Niccol, 1997, p.??). The wealthy was, however, guaranteed access to the new technology. In addition to the economic divide, the use of genes as criteria for identifying people was introduced as a possible type of discrimination. Individuals who had not been genetically enhanced and were referred to as Invalids encountered severe discrimination (Kirby, 2000). As shown in the film, the job interviews at Gattaca used urine tests to identify genetically superior humans (Niccol, 1997). Similarly, an individual’s capabilities were based solely on genetics in Brave New World. Comparable to Alphas which are the ruling elite in Brave New World were Valids in Gattaca who were born entitled to high social status. Invalids, on the other hand, worked cleaning jobs equivalent to Epsilons who worked menial jobs in factories. Due to their births, lower classes were subject to inequalities in the employment section which in turn altered their quality of life (Huxley, xx).

The presence of the caste system in both societies is a clear indication that "discrimination [could be] down to a science” (Niccol, 1997, p.???). In Gattaca, while wealth and the parents’ values appeared to determine whether science would impact their children’s fate, genetic determinism affected children who had and had not genetically altered. Due to the widespread belief in genetic determinism in Gattaca, discrimination was built into the structure of society similar to the strong systemic discrimination existent in Brave New World (Kakmi, 2004). Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, distrusted the idea of a world which the elite was planned for mankind as a whole (Bloom, p.66). Thus, the World Controllers balances the production of intellectually superior Alphas and purposely brain-damaged Gammas, Deltas, Epsilons. Results of this process affected the type of occupation accessible to brave new worlders similar to how genetic determinism impacted on Gattaca’s residents. While Valids might opt to defy their genetic profile, Invalids' lacked of genetic purity haunts them by limiting opportunities. This not only created an economic divide in society, but also operated on the false myth. Thus, brave new worlders believed that genetic engineering could pre-determine an individual's behaviour and ability to perform a job (Deane-Drummond, 2004; Kirby, 2000).

Gattaca’s protagonist, Vincent Freeman, and Brave New World’s protagonist, Bernard Marx, both feel acutely inferiority in the new system. The caste system causes the two protagonists to feel inferior as their genetic composition identifies them as substandard specimens. Thus, they suffer under the “burden of imperfection” (Niccol, 1997, p.???). Despite Bernard Marx’s status as an Alpha Plus, he is an outcast because he is shorter in stature than the average of his caste (Huxley, p.55). Huxley wrote a description of his physical inadequacy: “he stood eight centimetres short of the standard Alpha height” and that was “hardly better than that of the average Gamma [a person two castes lower]” (Huxley, p.272). This quality is generally shared by the lower castes such as Gamma, Deltas, and Epsilons. These castes are “conditioned to associate corporeal mass with social superiority” meaning Bernard’s status in society is challenged as “a faint hypnopaedic prejudice in favour of size was universal” (Huxley, p.55). This discriminatory treatment led Bernard to develop an inferiority complex (Pearce, 2008). The continuous mockery made him feel inferior and he reacted in a manner which only “intensified the contempt and hostility aroused by his physical defects” (Huxley, p.55).

Vincent’s experience as an outsider differed from …. In the film, his narration described how he was brought up to believe he was sub-par, “from an early age I [he] came to think of myself [himself] as others thought of me [him] - chronically ill” (Niccol, 1997, p.??). Ordinarily, he would be playing with other children in kindergarden. However, at the day care center, he was placed in a room with sleeping mats where children with obvious disabilities were. He was not given an opportunity to play outside in the jungle-gym or ride a bicycle like ‘healthy’ children were given (Niccol, 1997). The adults in Vincent’s life treat him as though he is abnormal and differs greatly from the way genetically engineered children as his brother, Anton, is treated. The disparity is noticeable, even to the young Vincent. As he grew up, Vincent would be referred to by derogatory names such as "faith births”, "defectives," or the officially sanctioned term, "in-valids” (Darnovsky, 2008, p.??). Later, he would learn his unenhanced status could only get him a job as a janitor at Gattaca. His life as an Invalid was doomed to routine discrimination through the drug test at interviews (Kirby, 2000).

As he pressed his face against a window looking up at the genetically-enhanced individuals who worked inside (Niccol, 1997), glass barriers were seen. The glass barriers symbolize the glass ceiling effect where people who should legally be able to work are unable to due to discriminatory practices (Kakmi, 2004). Vincent comments, despite his mental preparation for the position, "the best test score in the world wasn’t going to matter unless I had the blood test to go with it” (Niccol, 1997, p.??). Meanwhile, Bernard working as a psychologist uncovers the inner workings of Brave New World. His innate curiosity and sense of reasoning help him gain an awareness about sleep-teaching (Pearce, 2008). This revelation in addition to his physical attributes is the reason for his increased interest in fighting social inequalities resulting from the structure of his society (Pearce, 2008). Bernard resembles Vincent in that he dislikes the society in which he lives once he experiences discrimination. Both Vincent and Bernard voice the premonitions of its writer. The precautions subtly shown in these dystopian works concern the potential psychological effects on children in a world of genetic modification which has the tendency towards the loss of human integrity (Deane-Drummond, 2004).

After viewing Gattaca, the present will seem to have been replaced with a futuristic society who prefer to “hand pick” offspring rather than leaving it up to chance or God in Gattaca (Kakmi, 2000, p.??). Gattaca’s citizens believe that human genetic technologies can improve one’s potential (Kirby, 2000). However, Vincent Freeman would challenge this belief as he, an Invalid who had not been genetically enhanced, succeeded. More importantly, his example demonstrated to viewers that human beings are more than biological products. Vincent would transcend the predestined fate medical experts predicted for him based on the lack of genetic enhancement.

The myth remains for residents of Gattaca who opt for genetic manipulation are improving the future of their children (Deane-Drummond, 2004). They must have forgotten that humanity is defined by more than genes (Deane-Drummond, 2004), but Vincent serves as a reminder that “there is no gene for the human spirit” (Niccol, 1997, p.??). The tag line of Gattaca indicates that the individual’s human qualities cannot be engineered as only one’s motivation to confront challenges, but can develop the individual spirit. Typically, Invalids have their destiny set for them. However, Vincent is able to evade discrimination due to his refusal to “play the hand he was dealt with” (Niccol, 1997, p.??). By becoming a ‘borrowed ladder’ (Niccol, 1997, p.??), Vincent subjected himself to unknown punishment. Despite being unafraid to pursue his life-long dream, he did start to weep in one scene when he felt overwhelmed by his task after waking up from a night of detectives chasing him (Niccol, 1997). The enormity of his task to conceal his Invalid status becomes tiresome for Vincent. In nearly all of the scenes, Vincent is seen dedicating time to getting rid of any trace of himself while replacing it with someone else’s body matter. Nonetheless, Vincent keeps on trying and acts calmly through to the end when he knows he has no chance but gives his urine without an already prepared urine sample. Thus, Vincent is not enslaved to his natural birth and genetic destiny. In addition, Vincent’s trip out of Gattaca is a prime example that genetics cannot predetermine destiny as it is just probable, and thus, it is possible to fight it.

The spirit Vincent develops through the need to overcome his genetic heritage results in his triumph over his brother, Anton, and other Valids who have a cleaner profile than him. Meanwhile, Brave New World’s plot centers on Bernard Marx whose thinking is reflective of human nature. Initially, he appears to hate societal norms, but once people pay attention to him, he conforms. While Vincent frees himself from his genetics, Bernard cannot adjust to life as a perceived “Gamma”. In his weakness and confusion, Bernard suggests a tragic Everyman figure as he is unable to make a moral choice (Bloom, p.23) when attempting to control his own destiny. While Vincent prepares for his future by studying, Bernard takes soma to overcome what he cannot achieve by will (Bloom, p.19).

For both Vincent and Bernard, the purpose of life is not the maintenance of well-being, but “some intensification and refining of consciousness, some enlargement of knowledge” (Bloom, 29). However, the societies of Gattaca and Brave New World promote social order and decrease the value of individual freedom. This idea is best described in this hypnopaedic phrase, “when the individual feels, the community reels” (Huxley, p.89). Bernard’s visit to the Savage Reservation to look for some clue to a more meaningful existence is unsuccessful as he “fails to find happiness” (Bloom, p.24). When Bernard brings John the Savage to the World State from the Savage Reservation, John is troubled by it. Eventually John kills himself and in doing so, represents the lack of will to survive in Brave New World. Although none of Brave New World’s characters provides hope for humankind, Vincent’s success at Gattaca shows how individuals can be more than what genetic make-up predicts (Kirby, 2000). Despite his natural birth, Vincent is a superior human being, able to excel physically and socially. Vincent differentiates himself from Bernard as he attains his goals. As a human being, Vincent’s definition of quality is his abundance of inner strength. In this sense, Vincent also differs from John the Savage who eventually commits suicide. Vincent possesses the determination to live.

Genetic discoveries’ social consequences in societies of Gattaca and Brave New World are institutionalized discrimination. However, while the individual possessed motivation to confront the challenges of genetic determinism in Gattaca, characters in Brave New World lacked the will to achieve goals. Both states encourage its audience to reject technological applications as the message could be interpreted as beware how these scientific processes will interfere with human qualities. As progress in biotechnology is sketched, inequalities on the individual within the society are occurring and being accepted. The attempts at applying human genetic technologies create new kinds of social inequalities in Gattaca and Brave New World that only the inner transformation of self can transcend. Niccol and Huxley in their dystopian works have stroke images about the world to come as breakthroughs in biotechnology are paving the way for the mass alternation of the human species (Deane-Drummond, 2004). If humanity is unable to balance among human needs, social progresses, and control technology, dilemmas complicating society as a whole will ensue (Bloom, 22). The question remains how humankind will be affected by eugenics. It appears that the wait for a post-human society will be shorter than even Huxley and Niccol anticipated.

brave new scientists of gattaca: biotechnology loses its appeal

Brave New Scientists of Gattaca: Biotechnology loses its appeal

Annie Yan

Ms. Nouragas

December 14, 2009

ENG4U1-02

The application of [human genetics research] [advancements in biotechnology on human beings] have brought worries of genoism, discrimination based on one’s genetic purity, onto society. (Kakmi, 2004). In anticipation of dreaded future biological technologies, authors and filmmakers have used their talents to reflect upon genetic science. Through the societies of Gattaca and Brave New World, Andrew Niccol and Aldous Huxley respectively portray evolution in eugenics as the primary technological advance capable of transforming humanity. The two populaces residing in Brave New World and Gattaca face institutionalized discrimination in daily life, however, they differ on whether the individual can overcome inferiority in the new system. Both dystopian works examine the use of science in creating social inequality, the protagonist’s awareness of his inferiority, and the individual’s role in an eugenic future.

The dystopian texts criticize the role of genetic tools in the predestination of fates. The people of these worlds are given their fates before their birth. Andrew Niccol portrays Gattaca as a society where babies can be genetically modified by offering money to geneticists. The power to alter genes lies with scientists who could eliminate diseases, human disabilities, and shortcomings depending the amount of money they are paid (Niccol, 1997). Meanwhile, the process invented and implemented to produce babies in Brave New World is called Bokanovsky’s Process (Huxley, 3). As a “modern fertilizing process” (Huxley, 3), it is able to produce babies at an alarming speed referred to “assembly-line bioengineering of human beings”. (Astrachan, 1998). While brave new worlders are not born from a mother’s womb, residents of Gattaca retain the tradition of natural birth. Both approaches to human birth contribute to the caste system. The World Controllers in Brave New World ensure certain numbers of the five castes are decanted or born from bottles. Each caste is created and further split into Plus and Minus members through purposely stunting growth by pouring doses of alcohol into the bottle of fetuses. Due to the preselection of genes and genetic testing as the form of identification, two social classes exist in Gattaca as opposed to five castes in Brave New World. These classes are Valids and Invalids. In Gattaca, only those who can afford genetic alteration are likely to have genetically modified babies known as Valids. The poor parents cannot afford to consult a geneticist to select favourable traits is unable to guarantee their future children optimum success (Darnovsky, 2008). As the local geneticist cautioned, being born an Invalid is not “the best possible start” to life (Niccol, 1997). The wealthy is, however, guaranteed access to the new technology. In addition to the the economic divide, the use of genes as criteria for identifying people is introduced as a possible type of discrimination. Individuals who have not been genetically enhanced - referred to as Invalids - encounter severe discrimination (Kirby, 2000). As shown in the film, the job interviews at Gattaca are urine tests that identify genetically superior humans (Niccol, 1997). Similarly, an individual’s capabilities is based solely on genetics in Brave New World. Comparable to Alphas which are the ruling elite in Brave New World are Valids in Gattaca who are born entitled to high social status. Invalids, on the other hand, work cleaning jobs equivalent to Epsilons who work menial jobs in factories. Due to their births, lower classes are subject to inequalities in the employment section which in turn alters their quality of life (Huxley, xx). The presence of the caste system in both societies is a clear indication that "discrimination [could be] down to a science” (Niccol, 1997). In Gattaca, while wealth and the parents’ values appear to determine whether science will impact their children’s fate, genetic determinism affects children who have and have not genetically altered. Due to the widespread belief in genetic determinism in Gattaca, discrimination is built into the structure of society similar to the strong systemic discrimination existent in Brave New World (Kakmi, 2004). Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, distrusted the idea of a world which the elite was planned for mankind as a whole (Bloom, 66). Thus, the World Controllers balances the production of intellectually superior Alphas and purposely brain-damaged Gammas, Deltas, Epsilons. Results of this process affect the type of occupation accessible to brave new worlders similar to how genetic determinism impact Gattaca’s residents. While Valids may opt to defy their genetic profile, Invalids' lack of genetic purity haunts them by limiting opportunities. This not only creates an economic divide in society, but operates on the false myth also believed by brave new worlders that genetic engineering can pre-determine an individual's behaviour and ability to perform a job (Kirby, 2000; Deane-Drummond, 2004).

Gattaca’s protagonist, Vincent Freeman, and Brave New World’s protagonist, Bernard Marx, both feel acutely inferiority in the new system. The caste system causes the two protagonists to feel inferior as their genetic composition identifies them as substandard specimens. Thus, they suffer under the “burden of imperfection” (Niccol, 1997). Despite Bernard Marx’s status as a Alpha Plus, he is an outcast because he is shorter in stature than the average of his caste (Huxley, 55). Huxley wrote describing his physical inadequacy, “he stood eight centimetres short of the standard Alpha height” and that was “hardly better than that of the average Gamma [a person two castes lower]” (Huxley, 272). This quality is generally shared by the lower castes such as Gamma, Deltas, and Epsilons. These castes are “conditioned to associate corporeal mass with social superiority” meaning Bernard’s status in society is challenged as “a faint hypnopaedic prejudice in favour of size was universal” (Huxley, 55). This discriminatory treatment led Bernard to develop an inferiority complex (Pearce, 2008). The continuous mockery made him feel inferior and he reacted in a manner which only “intensified the contempt and hostility aroused by his physical defects” (Huxley, 55). Vincent’s experience as an outsider differed. In the film, his narration described how he was brought up to believe he was sub-par, “from an early age I [he] came to think of myself [himself] as others thought of me [him] - chronically ill” (Niccol, 1997). Ordinarily, he would be playing with other children in kindergarden. However, at the day care center, he was placed in a room with sleeping mats where children with obvious disabilities are. He was not given an opportunity to play outside in the jungle-gym or ride a bicycle like ‘healthy’ children are (Niccol, 1997). The adults in Vincent’s life treat him as though he is abnormal and differs greatly from the way genetically engineered children like his brother, Anton, is treated. The disparity is noticeable, even to the young Vincent. As he grew up, Vincent would be referred to by derogatory names such as "faith births”, "defectives," or the officially sanctioned term, "in-valids” (Darnovsky, 2008). Later, he would learn his unenhanced status could only get him a job as a janitor at Gattaca. His life as an Invalid was doomed to routine discrimination through the drug test at interviews (Kirby, 2000). As he presses his face against a window looking up at the genetically-enhanced individuals who work inside (Niccol, 1997), glass barriers are seen. The glass barriers symbolize the glass ceiling effect where people who should legally be able to work is unable to due to discriminatory practices (Kakmi, 2004). Vincent comments, despite his mental preparation for the position, "the best test score in the world wasn’t going to matter unless I had the blood test to go with it” (Niccol, 1997). Meanwhile, Bernard working a psychologist uncovers the inner workings of Brave New World. His innate curiousity and sense of reasoning help him gain an awareness about sleep-teaching (Pearce, 2008). This revelation in addition to his physical attributes are reasons for his increased interest in fighting social inequalities due to the structure of his society (Pearce, 2008). Bernard resembles Vincent in that he dislikes the society he lives in once he experiences discrimination. Both Vincent and Bernard voice the premonitions of its writer. The precautions subtly shown in these dystopian works concern the potential psychological effects on children in a world of genetic modification which has the tendency towards the loss of human integrity (Deane-Drummond, 2004).

After viewing Gattaca, the present will seem to have been replaced with a futuristic society who prefer to “hand pick” offspring rather than leaving it up to chance or God in Gattaca (Kakmi, 2000). Gattaca’s citizens believe that human genetic technologies can improve one’s potential (Kirby, 2000). However, Vincent Freeman would challenge this belief as he, an Invalid who have not been genetically enhanced, succeeded. More importantly, his example demonstrated to viewers that human beings are more than biological products. Vincent would transcend the predestined fate medical experts predicted for him based on the lack of genetic enhancement. The myth remains for residents of Gattaca that those who opt for genetic manipulation are improving the future of their children (Deane-Drummond, 2004). They must have forgotten humanity is defined by more than genes (Deane-Drummond, 2004), but Vincent serves as a reminder that “there is no gene for the human spirit” (Niccol, 1997). The tag line of Gattaca indicates that the individual’s human qualities cannot be engineered as only one’s motivation to confront challenges can develop the individual spirit. Typically, Invalids have their destiny set for them. However, Vincent is able to evade discrimination due to his refusal to “play the hand he was dealt with” (Niccol, 1997). By becoming a ‘borrowed ladder’ (Niccol, 1997), Vincent subjected himself to unknown punishment. Despite being unafraid to pursue his life-long dream, he did start to weep in one scene when he felt overwhelmed by his task after waking up from a night of detectives chasing him (Niccol, 1997). The enormity of his task to conceal his Invalid status becomes tiresome for Vincent. In nearly all of the scenes, Vincent is seen dedicating time to getting rid of any trace of himself while replacing it with someone else’s body matter. Nonetheless, Vincent keeps on trying and acts calmly through to the end when he knows he has no chance but give his urine without an already prepared urine sample. Thus, Vincent is not enslaved to his natural birth and genetic destiny. In addition, Vincent’s trip out of Gattaca is a prime example that genetics cannot predetermine destiny as it is just probable, and thus, it is possible to fight it. The spirit Vincent develops through the need to overcome his genetic heritage results in his triumph over his brother, Anton, and other Valids who have a cleaner profile than him. Meanwhile, Brave New World’s plot centers on Bernard Marx whose thinking is reflective of human nature. Initially, he appears to hate societal norms, but once people pay attention to him, he conforms. While Vincent frees himself from his genetics, Bernard cannot adjust to life as a perceived “Gamma”. In his weakness and confusion, Bernard suggests a tragic Everyman figure as he is unable to make a moral choice (Bloom, 23) when attempting to control his own destiny. While Vincent prepares for his future by studying, Bernard takes soma to overcome what he cannot achieve by will (Bloom, 19). For both Vincent and Bernard, the purpose of life is not the maintenance of well-being, but “some intensification and refining of consciousness, some enlargement of knowledge” (Bloom, 29). However, the societies of Gattaca and Brave New World promote social order and decrease the value of individual freedom. This idea is best described in this hypnopaedic phrase, “when the individual feels, the community reels” (Huxley, 89). Bernard’s visit to the Savage Reservation to look for some clue to a more meaningful existence is unsuccessful as he “fails to find happiness” (Bloom, 24). When Bernard brings John the Savage to the World State from the Savage Reservation, John is troubled by it. Eventually John kills himself and in doing so, represents the lack of will to survive in Brave New World. Although none of Brave New World’s characters provide hope for humankind, Vincent’s success at Gattaca show how individuals can be more than what genetic make-up predicts (Kirby, 2000). Despite his natural birth, Vincent is a superior human being, able to excel physically and socially. Vincent differentiated himself from Bernard as he attained his goals. As a human being, Vincent’s defining quality is his abundance of inner strength. In this sense, Vincent also differs from John the Savage who eventually commits suicide. Vincent possessed the determination to live.

Genetic discoveries’ social consequences in societies of Gattaca and Brave New World is institutionalized discrimination. However, while the individual possessed motivation to confront the challenges of genetic determinism in Gattaca, characters in Brave New World lacked the will to achieve goals. Both states encourage its audience to reject technological applications as the message could be interpreted as beware how these scientific processes will interfere with human qualities. As progress in biotechnology is sketched, inequalities on the individual within the society are occurring and being accepted. The attempts at applying human genetic technologies create new kinds of social inequalities in Gattaca and Brave New World that only the inner transformation of self can transcend. Niccol and Huxley in their dystopian works have very striking images about the world to come as breakthroughs in biotechnology are paving the way for the mass alternation of the human species (Deane-Drummond, 2004). If humanity is unable to balance human need and progress and control technology, dilemmas complicating society as a whole will ensue (Bloom, 22). The question remains how will humankind be effected by eugenics? It appears the wait for a post-human society will be shorter than even Huxley and Niccol anticipated.

Judge rv Tisi

Purpose of criminal law
- retribution
- protection of society

Purpose of penalties (judge's discretion)
- denunciation
- deterrence (specific/general)
- rehabilitation
- separation

Has robbery and assault causing bodily harm been proven?
PENALTIES
- probation combined with conditional sentences:
less than two years conditional sentence, 18 months sentence... in provincial institutions
Conditions of the sentence would be house arrest, must arrive home at 4pm

In addition to mandatory conditions, this probation order would include optional conditions. These optional conditions are 1. Perform community service 2. Participate in a treatment program (alternative methods to cope with situations instead of using force/violence)

third paragraph

Protagonist’s fate [victory/failure]

The genetically unenhanced Vincent is actually a superior human being, able to excel physically and socially despite his built-in "flaws."

Although Vincent is constantly reminded of his defective genes, it is his defects that have given him with a trait that the other characters do not possess, spirit. One scene illustrates how Vincent’s spirit helps him to overcome his genetic defects: while on a date with Irene, he removes his contact lenses to hide from the police, rendering himself virtually blind. In the next scene, he must cross a very busy highway at night to be with Irene. In a mixture of bravery and stupidity, he plunges across the highway, somehow making it to the other side. His desire to reach Irene allows him to overcome his defective vision, making this scene a microcosm of the film as a whole. Vincent’s bold if not miraculous crossing of the street points to his fervent desire to overcome all his real and imagined defects—whether this involves beating his genetically superior brother at swimming or working at the Gattaca corporation. The tagline for the film, "there is no gene for the human spirit," indicates that this quality cannot be engineered, emerging as it does out of an individual’s motivation when confronting the challenges of a specific context or environment. An individual who has been engineered with no flaws such as Eugene Morrow has nothing to overcome and no apparent need to improve himself. He thus lacks the "spirit" that Vincent has developed through the need to overcome his genetic heritage. In GATTACA, institutionalized discrimination has resulted in the loss of the individual spirit.

While Bernard sets a goal of distancing himself from society, Vincent fights to become widely accepted. In the worlds of Gattaca and Brave New World, the class structure

The film depicts Vincent, an Invalid's life which have been

Bernard's differences fuel rumours that he was accidentally administered alcohol while incubated, a method used to keep Epsilons short.

Vincent Freeman as an Invalid could only get a job as a janitor at Gattaca. Once his black market DNA dealer arranged a meeting between Eugene Morrow and himself, he was able to pass as a Valid and a genetically perfect one (Kirby, 2000).


There is no gene for the human spirit fool the genetic hierarchy's enforcers

Bernard rebels by thinking and reading. He appears to hate the society that he is in but once people pay attention to him, he conforms to it. When Bernard brings John the Savage back to the World State, John is troubled by it and eventually kills himself, representing the death of the society
attempts to control his own destiny
visits the Savage Reservation looking for some clue to a more meaningful existence and “does not succeed, fails to find happiness”

In his weakness and confusion Bernard suggests a tragic Everyman figure, but he cannot make a moral choice (Bloom, 23)
Bernard takes soma to overcome what he cannot achieve by will [i.e. when jealous... of the affinity between the Savage and Helmholtz] (Bloom, 19)
for Bernard, purpose of life is not the maintenance of well-being, but “some intensification and refining of consciousness, some enlargement of knowledge” (Bloom, 29)
“When the individual feels, the community reels.” (Huxley, 89)

The genetically unenhanced Vincent is actually a superior human being, able to excel physically and socially despite his built-in "flaws."

“They [his parents] put off having any more children until they could afford not to gamble - to bring a child into the world in what has become the “natural” way.” Vincent’s father appears disheartened by Vincent’s genetics and there is an urgency to satisfy his need for a worthy son. Vincent seems deeply hurt and feels the need to prove himself. He does not internalize the way his father feels about him, but he does recognize his father is disappointed in him. He would develop envy for his brother, but also pursued his own interests. Not only is he distanced from the Valids, but he is secluded in his own family. He does not have a home and does not belong. Therefore, he wants to leave planet earth and crave for life in the stars (Kirby, 2000). Although he knows nothing about life out there, he imagines it to be better. He hopes to escape to some other world. He believes anything to be better than life on earth because even at Gattaca, he is not truly happy and is still an outsider (Darnovsky, 2008). He realizes he will always need to pretend, but can never be himself.

The present seems to have been replaced with a futuristic society who preferred to “hand pick” offspring rather than leaving it up to chance or God (Kakmi, 2000). The citizens seem to believe that genes determine one’s potential (Kirby, 2000). However, Vincent would prove them wrong. One’s drive to succeed could contribute more to or just the same amount to one’s eventual accomplishments. This film is the story of Vincent’s hopeful journey where he overcomes his bleak and dismal beginning. Vincent overcomes his genes and outwits his superiors, the Valids. He succeeds in achieving his goal and triumphs over his brother and other Valids who have a cleaner profile than him. In the end, Vincent frees himself from his genetics. Bernard, on the other hand, cannot adjust to life as a perceived “Gamma”. While Vincent is able to change his identity by becoming a “borrowed ladder” (Niccol, 1997), Bernard and John are not capable of concealing their identity to achieve their goals. Vincent is different from Bernard because he has more inner strength. In this sense, Vincent also differs from John since John commits suicide, and Vincent is more determined to live. In the end, Vincent is not enslaved to his natural birth and genetic destiny. Vincent’s trip out of Gattaca is a prime example that genetics cannot predetermine destiny, it is just probable, and thus, it is possible to fight it. Vincent willed himself to become “a member of a relatively new and particularly detested segment of society; one of those who refuses to play the hand that he was dealt” (Niccol, 1997). Vincent made the decision to become a borrowed ladder or a de-gene-rate. Due to this choice, he is subjecting himself to unknown punishment and exposing himself to a world of possibilities. He needs to work that much harder to conceal his true identity, but is unafraid of the enormity of his task. He did start to weep in one scene when he felt overwhelmed by his task after waking up from a night of detectives chasing him (Niccol, 1997). It becomes tiresome for Vincent to conceal his identity and dedicate time to getting rid of any trace of him while replacing it with someone else’s body matter. Nonetheless, Vincent keeps on trying and acts calmly through to the end when he knows he has no chance but give his urine without an already prepared urine sample. He sees freedom in the stars and is unwilling to give up that dream because it symbolizes freedom for him. It is his only escape from Gattaca. The genetically unenhanced Vincent is actually a superior human being, able to excel physically and socially despite his built-in "flaws."Meanwhile, Brave New World’s plot centres on Bernard whose thinking which is reflective of human nature. Initially, he appears to hate societal norms, but once people pay attention to him, he conforms. In his weakness and confusion Bernard suggests a tragic Everyman figure as he is unable to make a moral choice (Bloom, 23) while attempting to control his own destiny. Bernard’s visit to the Savage Reservation to look for some clue to a more meaningful existence is not successful as he “fails to find happiness” (Bloom, 24). While Vincent buries himself in his books, Bernard takes soma to overcome what he cannot achieve by will (Bloom, 19). For both Vincent and Bernard, the purpose of life is not the maintenance of well-being, but “some intensification and refining of consciousness, some enlargement of knowledge” (Bloom, 29). However, the societies of Gattaca and Brave New World promote social order and decrease the value of individual freedom. This idea is best described in this hypnopaedic phrase, “when the individual feels, the community reels.” (Huxley, 89) When Bernard brings John the Savage to the World State from the Savage Reservation, John is troubled by it. Eventually John kills himself and in doing so, represents the lack of will to survive in Brave New World.

secondary resource

The time of BNW and Gattaca is the advancement of science as it affects individuals. The only scientific advances are those involving the application to human beings of the results of future research in biology. It is only by means of the sciences of life that the quality of life can be radically changed (Huxley, xx)

unease about modern science and technology about the direction humanity is headed towards is evoked by ‘‘brave new world.’’ Much of the debate over science and technology has centered on the question of how to avoid such a "brave new world" (

mass production of people, who are shaped to fill their social caste roles as Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, or Epsilons. Some people have been cloned from the same fertilized egg, so that they are genetically identical.

certain indispensable human values - respect for the individual person, love, and honour arepreserved on the lower and less well-organized levels of life while they disappear from the higher (Bloom, 74)

view of society remains a pessimistic one, the tale of Bernard, Helmholz, and the Savage's confrontation with and defeat by authority provides the kind of backrone for Huxley's satiric vision of the world of the future (Bloom, 77)

Mustapha Mond's principal beliefs... disavowal of the value of the individual ego
Huxley's associated liberalism with the old romanticism and its stress on individuality (Bloom. 79)

He [Huxley] sees a five-tiered caste system occasioned through the perfection of biogenetic engineering... Every man is created biologically equal to all other in his caste. (Bloom, 88). On the contrary, individuals of the two castes in Gattaca are not biologically equal to each other. Every human being has their parent's genes.

brazilian amazon deforestation

Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil

Marina Silva, environmentalist and politician

I understand there have been issues surrounding deforestation of our Amazon forest. And I will address these concerns openly and with detail.

In the Brazilian Amazon, between 2000 and 2008, more than 150,000 square kilometers were cleared. Since 2004, deforestation have slowed, but it will continue to be an issue. Some main causes are cattle farming and infrastructure.
Historically a large portion of deforestation in Brazil can be attributed to land clearing for pastureland by commercial interests, misguided government policies, inappropriate World Bank projects, and commercial exploitation of forest resources

Infrastructure
Road construction leads to deforestation. Roads provide access to logging and mining sites while makes the forest accessible to the rural poor who exploit the rainforest by using it as free land for subsistence agriculture.
Satellite data in 2004 showed an increase in deforestation along the BR-163 road, a highway the government paved to help soy farmers get their crops to export markets.
Logging roads give colonists access to rainforest, which they exploit for fuelwood, game, building material, and temporary agricultural lands.

Cattle
Brazil became the world's largest beef exporter between 1997 and 2003; four-fifths of this growth was within the Amazon.
Cattle ranching is the leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon. In 2003, 80% growth in Brazilian cattle production was in the Amazon and was export driven.

In Latin America, Brazil had the second most rapid growth in carbon emissions between 1970 and 1997 with Brazil 220%

Loss of forest cover affects climate. Forests play an important role in the global carbon cycle because they absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide.



Stakeholders

The planet
· policies ensure the environment will be protected at a certain level are necessary for the foreseeable future
· need comprehensive against climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emission

The Brazilian Amazon is the largest tropical forest in the world. Whatever Brazil does with it, the world will be affected. Looking to the future, we need a long-term solution. First, establishing comprehensive climate regulations and supplying carbon-free energy sources. Tomorrow's industrialists must realize that it is profitable to reduce emissions by funding conservation programmes. Just because I am no longer Brazil’s environment minister does not mean I cannot be a vocal champion for the environment of my country and my fellow citizens.


Businesses
· gain trust of consumers
· promoting a cleaner environment ensures they are taking a proactive approach
· not under pressure to perform

Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Clarks which were using Brazilian leather from cattle raised in the Amazon are now committed to "zero deforestation in their supply chains" along with Princes, the makers of beef products. They are the four biggest players in the global cattle sector, and all of them have chosen to take a proactive approach to Corporate Social Responsibility. These multinational corporations have taken initiatives against the values and practices of Brazil. They believe certain absolute truths apply everywhere and deforestation is wrong according to Western ethical standards. In this case, the MNC’s chose to lean towards ethical imperialism as the solution to this ethical issue. Other countries are pressuring Brazil to change its ways [the government to take initiative/make changes] "Morality is as genuine a human universal as is language. All cultures have moral systems." They believe the idea of separate but equal cultures no longer accurate in that cultures are not separate; they exist in the same space. One nation’s actions will affect other countries. Greenpeace’s Amazon director, Paulo Adario claimed that, the pressure from other nations contributed to the government’s desire to stop rainforest deforestation. Greenpeace is just one of the non-profit, non-governmental environment groups which campaigned to stop various causes of deforestation. It was Greenpeace’s campaign against cattle ranching was the turning point from which companies decided to take action.


Consumer
· can exercise their power by shopping ethically to influence decisions made about their global environment
· aware of how the products they are buying are impacting their future
· encourage companies to clean up its act which prevents themselves from feeling the effects of global warming and extreme climate changes

Civil society for its part has publicly opposed deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon by supporting environmental organizations that are non-governmental and non-profitable like Greenpeace. This prevented a code which could have become a charter for industrial logging interests.


Hofstede’s Cultural dimensions

Uncertainty avoidance
One Hofstede cultural dimension relating to the ethics of deforestation is uncertainty avoidance. Brazil, as a society, does not tolerant uncertainty. The objective of the government is to provide society with strict laws, policies, and regulations which they can follow. We must also make aware the positive aspects of reducing deforestation. Allowing Brazilians to believe they are taking risks with new policies would hurt the Amazon, and in turn, the world. In my opinion, the government should take small steps towards change. At first, it will be hard because it is difficult for Brazilians to change their beliefs. But it is important to take these steps in order to adjust the ethics of our society. Although our moral principles may not be of Western standards, the Brazilian society need rules or controls to eventually adjust to morals different from their own. The government must inform the public that there is no need to feel threatened by efforts to promote conservation planning in the Brazilian Amazon. If the mass is educated on the organization and structure of these policies, it will avoid their low tolerance for uncertainty. They must understand why deforestation will benefit them, be good for future generations, and the potentially detrimental implications if the current rate of Amazonian deforestation continue. If they begin to understand truths they know is not the absolute truth and that their ways of thinking may have flaws. Brazil is beginning to modernize and the high rate of change could have growing concern for the lack of a predictable rate of change. It is a tendency of a high uncertainty avoidance culture to have many and many more rules to control behaviour. It is not usual to impose more laws or regulations to guide thinking.

Power distance
The large power distance of the Brazilian society signifies that inequalities of power and wealth have been allowed to develop. This is due to the large population. The more people they are, the harder it is for everyone to achieve an equal standard of living. The poorer people of the North have had to compromise their morals to get they want through legitimate means. They would prefer to go to the Amazon to pursue a living and for land at the expense of hurting the environment. What this means for the government is that they have the power. Its decisions will be accepted. People will grow to adapt to what those in power believe. In terms of ethics, the public is less likely to challenge than accept what the government support because of the power it holds.

Cultural relativism and ethical imperialism
As a Brazilian, I do believe the private and social gains need to be balanced with the social and environmental losses from deforestation. We must consider the tradeoffs between economic activity and protection of the Amazonian forests. Brazil is implementing the Avanca Brasil which is working towards change, but also satisfying demands from other nations particularly European and North American ones. These nations have been pressuring Brazil to conform to what they believe to be ethically right. English newspapers have boldly reported that they believe the fate of the Brazilian Amazon should not be left up to Brazil. However, Brazil has the needs of their citizens to consider. Other countries may want to assist Brazil in developing as a nation, however, they cannot decide to impose their own rules and laws on Brazilian people. Personally, I do believe that Brazilians should not be settling and claiming land in the Amazon. Companies from the U.S. or China for example are following the practices of the local setting by expanding their pastures in the Amazon. To be honest, I believe that is wrong. First and foremost, we need to look towards the future and stop planning for the short-term. To do so, developing plans for sustainable development is important. Measures have to be implemented before the environmental impact is irreversible. In the end... If the world expects Brazil to follow a development path that is different from its current one--and from a path that developed nations have followed, then the costs will be substantial. As of right now, a number of international and domestic initiatives are attempting to promote conservation planning and sustainable development. The most significant one is the Pilot Program to Conserve the Brazilian Rainforest, which will channel $340 million from G8 nations (Germany, Britain, France, Italy, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Russia) into land-use planning, extractive and Amerindian reserves, ecological corridor systems, etc. There also are bilateral programs between the Brazilian and other governments, domestic governmental initiatives, and private organizations involved. Collectively, these programs involve hundreds of millions of dollars. The investment, in my opinion, would be worth it. The fate of the greatest tropical rainforest on Earth is at stake. Without it, we would lose the lung of the world. By then, the livelihoods of everyone and the survival of biodiversity on Earth will be at stake.

An ongoing development activity in the Amazon under the provisions of Avanca Brasil (Advance Brazil) is implemented by the Brazilian government. I fought against this development plan as I feel it will fuel more deforestation. I believe it will pose new threats to the Amazon basin. Many infrastructure projects ranging this important ecological region is said to increase economic developments concerning industrial agriculture, timber, and mining, but the investments will cost $45 billion USD. The money is used for road paving, river channeling, and energy production i.e. hydroelectric projects, power lines. Although the Amazonian road network will benefit Brazil economically because it will encourage foreign investment in Brazil. It will also more the region more susceptible to forest destruction. What also shocks me is that key environmental agencies were excluded from planning these developments. The Ministry of the Environment was unable to give input. That is the primary reason I resigned from being the environmental minister is due to this program. The way it is being promoted to the public is misleading as it can have detrimental impacts on their future. We need a more long-term plan, this will only advance Brazil in the short-term. By then, if the government have not protected the Amazon region through sustainable development, not only Brazilians but the world will suffer. Highways, roads, logging projects, and colonization are the causes of deforestation. With the completion of this development program, these primary causes will contribute to /upstart the destructive trends again. It will be a setback to the progress Brazil has made because Avanca Brasil is representative of the topdown planning process used in the Amazon. First, the government or business propose projects and have it approved before the evaluation of environmental costs and risks. Project like the BR-310 highway and Araguaia-Tocantins waterway create passageways between the remote Amazonian frontier and densely populated places. They start a process of spontaneous colonization, logging, mining the Brazilian government will find difficult to control. Most importantly, the forests suffer the devastating effects.

Land-use change is attributable to globalization and is found in emerging globalized economies, especially when environmentalists lobby for conservation approaches for inhabited landscapes like in the Brazilian Amazon.

A model for Amazonian development I would suggest creating complementary measures (both economic and non-economic) that reduce climate change. These measures should strengthen property rights and restrict access to the forest areas. These could counter the government subsidized agriculture and colonization programs.


Globalization has caused national governments to abandon forest protection laws and regulations because of the need to be competitive. In Latin America, globalization has and still is driving a great deal of deforestation. Brazil is a prime example. There have been few protections for the environment despite the vast forest reserves. Environmental regulations barely exist as a result of globalization. In the midst of an international struggle to remain competitive, many nations have lowered their standards. Brazil’s constitutional protections for indigenous lands have been weakened by former President Cardoso, allowing private interests to displace native people from the forests. He also increased the maximum area which landowners in the Amazon are able to exploit (from 50% to 80). This effectively opened up the Amazon region. Due to globalization, One driving force of globalization is eliminating government restrictions on foreign investment, giving access to resources previously unexploited. Brazil’s land costs are half of that of United States. Thus, foreign direct investment began to increase exponentially. Brazil’s competitive edge in comparative costs of production is helped by government incentives. From supplying 10% of soybeans in the international market in 1970 to half the global market by the early 1980s. Overall costs are lower for Brazilian production than for United States production which was Brazil’s main competition. The Brazilian government's planned transport infrastructure for the Amazon is designed to expedite and reduce costs for exporting the region's vast natural resources. Even Canada had made attempts to stay competitive in the logging industry. Canadians have not established an Endangered Species Act. Below-market prices for timber from public lands, particularly in the US and Canada has also employed the practice of dumping in selling below-market prices for timber from public lands. Its national government has provided subsidies in response to stiffening global competition. Although Canada's largest forest-exporting province, British Columbia, has for years sold public timber at one-third the price of the cost in the US, BC's Premier cut it by another 12% to boost competitiveness. In terms of ethical imperialism, if the world expects Brazil to follow a different development path to conserving the Amazonian forest. It should first consider what developed countries who claim they want to save the environment do. They are allowed to focus primarily on international competition. Brazil, being a developing country is more in need of developing a competitive and comparative advantage. Our abundance of natural resources is responsible for our economic growth. We will need financial aid from developed countries to improve our environmental standard. Or else, it is not a possible feat. As a Brazilian, I hope that we, as a global community, can implement change for the future. We would not want to witness a near-complete destruction of the world's few remaining forests and the globalization of suicidal standards.


Tropical deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon are influenced by local farms, regional patterns and international conditions.

Deforestation in Amazonia is correlated with changing demographic and economic conditions in southern Brazil. In the early 1970s, changes in land tenure and land use directly influenced deforestation. These changes resulted from external factors. These factors were preconditions for deforestation that still exists today. The international activities were related to world oil production, distribution, and price was one reason.

Brazil, being a developing country, needed money to fund economic development, modernization, and industrialization programs. They also needed US dollars to pay for oil, because oil is bought and traded in dollars. Brazil came up with a 2 step strategy: First - reduce imported oil by developing domestic sources like hydroelectric energy Second - borrow from foreign lenders to fund domestic economic development programs. A focus on developing financing was agricultural modernization because agricultural exports could be used to service the debt.

Since then, agricultural modernization has been a national goal in Brazil. In the last 20 years, total farmland area increased more than 60% and the land in crops increased 176%. Between 1970 and 1980, there was large-scale financial investment in agriculture. The use of machinery grew as Brazil became a leading exporter of commodities as soybeans and oranges. The investment programs were successful; the net value of agricultural output increased substantially.

The agricultural modernization programs led to changing land allocation and land tenure. Figure 5 shows the distribution of crop credits by crop type in 1978. First, almost half of the total crop area receiving credits was used for three export crops: wheat, soybeans, and coffee. Second, the largest fraction of crop area was in soybean production. Third, hardly any cropland was used for staple crops such as black bean.

In class I’ve heard this phrase, in the last 30 years; interdependence has caused countries to change their political, economic, and cultural practices. As an array of products/services become accessible, cultures are exposed to other countries’ beliefs/values. Therefore, countries begin to change their practices because of outside influences. Crops for domestic use are not grown, export crops for other countries are. Unless urgent action is taken, the Brazilian Amazon could lose an additional area the size of Denmark over the next 18 months

brave new world of gattaca

Outline

Introductory statement: Technological developments was once regarded progressive, as evolving biotechnologies are applied on human beings, its impact has been seen as regressive. In anticipation or dread of future technologies, authors and filmmakers alike, have used their talents to offer perspectives.

Thesis statement: Through the societies of Gattaca and Brave New World, Andrew Niccol and Aldous Huxley respectively portray eugenics as the the primary technological advance which is capable of transforming the future. The two populations face institutionalized discrimination in daily life, however, they differ on whether the individual can overcome inferiority in the new system. Both dystopian works examine genetic prejudice resulting in discrimination, the protagonist’s awareness of his inferiority, and the role of the individual spirit.

genetic castes and DNA-based discrimination

Genetic determinism: an ideology that holds that humans are nothing more than the sum of their genes

First paragraph

Topic sentence: The dystopian texts criticize the societal acceptance of genetic determinism which leads to systemic discrimination. The discrimination against genes is strong and a part of the society that most people seemed to have accepted.

genetic castes and DNA-based discrimination

social injustice, genetic engineers create "enhanced" humans

Evidence from:

Primary resource

BNW

caste system: 5 social classes Alphas, Betas, Deltas, Gammas, and Epsilons [highest to lowest] in society and each caste is further split into Plus and Minus members

higher classes: beautiful, intelligent, healthy people

lower classes are ugly, slow, and in poor health

G: not everyone has access to the technology, society [parents included] believe in genetic determinism... parents are encouraged to decide the genetic makeup of their offspring before birth,

Genetically unenhanced individuals is unable to evade severe discrimination. Thus, Vincent's parents, compromised personal values in exchange for an enhanced status. Their recognition that one's genetic profile determines his/her success the new class structure is a clear indication of how in Gattaca, they have "discrimination down to a science (Kirby, 2000). Huxley, author of Brave New World, distrusted the idea of a world which the elite planned for mankind as a whole (Bloom, 66). In reality, the political structure in both societies are hierarchical (Bloom, 67) despite technological developments whose objective was to create equality (Bloom, 72). In Brave New World, only a tiny minority who were thought capable. Valids, the genetically endowed individuals, have opportunities available to them such as being allowed to fly on space missions (Darnovsky, 2008). While Valids may opt to defy their genetic profile, Invalids' lack of genetic purity haunts them limiting their options. As shown in the film, job interviews are based solely on genetics. This not only creates an economic divide in society, but operates on the false basis also deeply instilled in the beliefs of Brave New World that genetic engineering can pre-determine an individual's behaviour and ability to perform a job (Kirby, 2000). Vincent Freeman as an Invalid could only get a job as a janitor at Gattaca. Bernard Marx, being born a Alpha Plus, was assigned to work as a psychologist while Lenina Crowne, a Beta Plus, was a caste lower, and was therefore employed as a Embryo Worker.

The film depicts Vincent, an Invalid's life which have been

Genetic determinism is willfully accepted by Gattaca's citizens whereas this

Gattaca [The systematic discrimination becomes corrupting influence on culture and society]

depicts a world divided by genetics into 2 castes: Valids are handsome, intelligent, genetically endowed upper class who have opportunities b/c of good health i.e. allowed to fly on space missions; Invalids are genetic have-nots with health issues and low-level jobs i.e. clean Gattaca

GENETICIST: You want to give your child the best possible start. Believe me, we have enough imperfection built in already. Your child doesn’t need any additional burdens.

In Gattaca world, non-enhanced babies are born only to the poor and the sexually reckless. Those who can possibly afford it consult with a genetic technician before initiating a pregnancy, and select their future child's traits for optimum success: sex, life expectancy, intelligence, appearance.

Secondary resource:

Children with high-caliber preselected genes are classified at birth as "Valids." They're the ruling elite, eligible for top careers and entitled to high social status. "In-Valids" labor at menial jobs with no way up or out. In one memorable scene, a team of In-Valid janitors in prisoner-like jumpsuits is bussed into a gleaming office building. It's clear that the only way they get through the door is to clean the toilets and sweep the floors

It is a world where a new form of discrimination has arisen, called genoism, discrimination according to one's genetic purity. He is one known as an invalid, a person born by normal means, whose genes have not been altered — contrary to the valids who are people whose genes have been altered to give them "the best of their parents". When he is born a reading is taken from his blood, and the probabilities of certain afflictions and genetic diseases are read off, one after another, to his dumbstruck parents. His probable life expectancy? A mere 33 years.

the scenario played out in GATTACA one where parents choose for their offspring the traits that are favored by society. An early scene shows Vincent’s parents discussing the genetics of their next baby, Anton, with a geneticist, who argues that it would be detrimental to the child not to remove traits that are likely to make him the butt of social prejudices.

The geneticist implies that individuals who lack the qualities that society finds desirable—a full head of hair, 20/20 vision, and low body weight—will face social discrimination. As was implied by Anton’s geneticist, those who are unable to be genetically enhanced before birth will face severe discrimination—based as much on the simple fact of unenhanced status as on any particular flaw or drawback. Indeed, as Vincent observes in the film, a new class structure has arisen based not on "social status or the color of your skin," but on one’s overall genetic profile; as a result, "we now have discrimination down to a science."

According to Vincent, discrimination against the genetically unenhanced is akin to contemporary racism or classism: "it’s illegal to discriminate on the basis of genetics—genoism it’s called—but no one takes the laws seriously." Likewise, the genetically unenhanced are referred to by derogatory names, such as "faith births," "defectives," "God children," or the officially sanctioned term, "in-valids." In-valids who illegally use the genetic profiles of "valids"—the genetically enhanced—are called "de-gene-erates" or "borrowed ladders." Several scenes depict physical barriers that powerfully illustrate the obstacles GATTACA’s society places in the path of unenhanced individuals. The scene in which Vincent’s parents are told that he will not be allowed to go to school with other children (because the school cannot afford the skyrocketing insurance rates required to cover an in-valid child) includes a close-up of the gate shutting in Vincent’s face; the only other object visible in the shot is young Vincent’s hand clutching at the closed gate. Another scene depicts the new "glass ceiling" that exists when genetic discrimination is illegal but openly practiced. Vincent, who before his "borrowed ladder" status as Jerome could only get a job as a janitor at Gattaca, is shown with his face pressed against a window looking up at the genetically-enhanced individuals who work inside as they ascend escalators. Similarly, Vincent is often shown gazing up through a skylight as Gattaca’s offworld missions rocket skyward, leaving him forever below. These glass barriers materialize the predicament faced by Vincent, who should legally be able to work on the inside but is shut out due to the discriminatory practices of GATTACA’s society. As Vincent comments, despite the fact that he has studied hard and is intellectually prepared for the job, "the best test score in the world wasn’t going to matter unless I had the blood test to go with it."

In GATTACA, the assumption that minority individuals are not capable of performing as well as others is called into question when a minority character is able not only to succeed but to better the accomplishments of individuals from the majority group. Discrimination against the genetically unenhanced presupposes that genetic determinism is the true state of the world and that genetic manipulation actually improves an enhanced individual’s behavior and ability to perform a job; in this case, the genetically enhanced should always perform better than the genetically unenhanced and genetic discrimination is justified. If genetic determinism is not a valid paradigm, however, then genetic manipulation will not automatically improve an enhanced individual’s behavior or distinguish such an individual from one whose genetic material has not been manipulated. In this case, the genetically unenhanced should be able to perform as well as, or better than, genetically-enhanced individuals, and genetic discrimination is not justified. Because the genetically-unenhanced Vincent proves to be more successful than all the genetically-enhanced characters, GATTACA dismisses the practice of genetic discrimination by rejecting its underlying assumption of genetic determinism.

Analysis:

babies are created in labs and genetically altered

* genetically altered babies; as infants, the people of these worlds are given their fates.

G: eliminate disease, human disabilities, and shortcomings BNW doesn’t

BNW: create certain numbers of each caste G: everyone can have custom-designed babies

BNW: believes there needs to intellectually superior Alphas, purposely brain-damaged Gammas, Deltas, Epsilons [menial jobs, higher-level jobs i.e. psychologist, World Controller]

G: mothers give birth BNW: babies decanted in labs

Technology has advanced in this film. It has come a long way from today’s technology. We are close in terms of the concept/idea, but in execution, we have not guaranteed babies will turn out as planned. Errors can still happen. The new social concepts are emphasized more than technology. Even in the 1980s, genetic engineering humans was a possibility. However, there were and still are many advocates against it. There are morality and other potential issues as shown in the film. For example, the drug test is more than testing for drugs, it is a way of identifying people. Thus, it is a way employers or really, the whole society, discriminates. It is an accepted form of discrimination. It is unethical for people to determine ability based on genes and pay money to “modify” children. From people’s broad outlook on life now to that narrow mindset in Gattaca is a step backward for society. A person’s character decides his destiny not his/her genes. One needs character to use his/her abilities and so, while genetic make-up is important, no one should be judged on that alone. This regressive society is unaware or ignorant of that fact.

The priest having to convince people to leave their baby’s well-being to God and choose natural birth illustrates the social dimensions changing as a new classist system takes over people’s minds. Psychologically, they begin to shift. It is a reversal of values. They no longer see the difference between right and wrong or the distortion in reality. If they could, they would not subject children to such treatment. ‘Valids’ suffer under the burden of perfection while ‘invalids’ have their destiny set for them unless they become a ‘borrowed ladder’. Vincent is one. He does not play the hand he was dealt with since he is supposed to be low-class and not have the potential of a valid. He pretends to be a ‘valid’ because he wants to go to space. His success at Gattaca show he is more than what was predicted of him. There are many successful people who did not achieve success right away, but was willing to work at it and did achieve what they wanted in the end because they were willing to work hard.

Eugene Morrow was deemed to succeed, but failed on his own. He fell into alcoholism and wasted his potential. However, when Vincent assumed his identity, he fulfilled expectations. Clearly, it is trying to say that the systematic discrimination is the result of man attempting to play God. It is not progress from a social outlook. We cannot measure progress based on technology only.

Second paragraph

Topic sentence

Point [of comparison]: protagonist feels acutely his inferiority in the new system

Evidence from:

Primary resource:

“... from an early age I came to think of myself as others thought of me - chronically ill”

Vincent was brought up to believe he was sub-par. He thought he was not as worthy as other children. Ordinarily, he would be playing with other children in kindergarden. However, at the day care center, he must be placed in a room with sleeping mats where children with obvious disabilities are. He is not given an opportunity to play outside in the jungle-gym or riding a bicycle like ‘healthy’ children are. Even his mother treats him as though he is abnormal. The way the adults in his life treat him differs greatly from the way genetically engineered children are treated. The disparity is noticeable, even to a young Vincent. At two years old, he is not ready to cope with the effects of his genetic prophecy. This causes him to develop a drive or have the ambition to achieve more than those who are more privileged than him.

Vincent being a God child suffers under the burden of imperfection.

Secondary resource:

Analysis:

Vincent, Bernard, John are curious and have a sense of reasoning which leads to them challenge the rules [of society]

Vincent resembles Bernard in that he dislikes the society he lives in because he feels he is discriminated against and sets a goal of distancing himself from it.

John and Bernard are also like Vincent in that he develops a hatred towards his society because he is a social outcast because his morals and beliefs are not widely accepted.

BNW

Bernard outcast because he is shorter in stature than the average of his caste, Alpha Plus. This quality shared by the lower castes, thus, he develops an inferiority complex

Bernard's differences fuel rumours that he was accidentally administered alcohol while incubated, a method used to keep Epsilons short.

His work with sleep-teaching has led him to realize that what others believe to be their own deeply held beliefs are merely phrases repeated to children while they sleep

Bernard's physique was hardly better than that of the average Gamma. He stood eight centimetres short of the standard Alpha height and was slender in proportion. Contact with members of he lower castes always reminded him painfully of this physical inadequacy (Huxley, 272)

For Gammas, Deltas and Epsilons had been to some extent conditioned to associate corporeal mass with social superiority. Indeed, a faint hypnopædic prejudice in favour of size was universal. Hence the laughter of the women to whom he made proposals, the practical joking of his equals among the men. The mockery made him feel an outsider; and feeling an outsider he behaved like one, which increased the prejudice against him and intensified the contempt and hostility aroused by his physical defects. Which in turn increased his sense of being alien and alone (Huxley, 55)

Third paragraph

Topic sentence

Points [of contrast]: protagonist’s fate [victory/failure]

While Bernard sets a goal of distancing himself from society, Vincent fights to become widely accepted.

In the worlds of Gattaca and Brave New World,

The film depicts Vincent, an Invalid's life which have been

Bernard's differences fuel rumours that he was accidentally administered alcohol while incubated, a method used to keep Epsilons short.

Vincent Freeman as an Invalid could only get a job as a janitor at Gattaca. Once he

Evidence from:

Primary resource

Gattaca

there is no gene for the human spirit

Vincent born as an invalid. He goes through life dreaming of traveling into space. His dream becomes a reality when he contacts a black market DNA dealer that arranges for Vincent to have the blood and urine of Jerome, a genetically perfect athlete however, paralyzed. Vincent is able to pass as a valid and nearly achieves his goal of traveling to space when the murder of the Director nearly exposes him. However, he eventually achieves his dream by carefully evading the police.

“I was a member of a relatively new and particularly detested segment of society; one of those who refuses to play the hand that he was dealt.”

“They [Maria and Anton Freeman] put off having any more children until they could afford not to gamble - to bring a child into the world in what has become the “natural” way.”

Gattaca's plot revolves around the tribulations and ultimate triumph of an In-Valid (played by Ethan Hawke) who refuses to accept his genetic destiny. Hawke's determined character manages not only to fool the genetic hierarchy's enforcers, but also to get the gorgeous upper-class girl.

BNW

Bernard rebels by thinking and reading. He appears to hate the society that he is in but once people pay attention to him, he conforms to it. When Bernard brings John the Savage back to the World State, John is troubled by it and eventually kills himself, representing the death of the society

attempts to control his own destiny

visits the Savage Reservation looking for some clue to a more meaningful existence and “does not succeed, fails to find happiness”

Secondary resource

BNW

In his weakness and confusion Bernard suggests a tragic Everyman figure, but he cannot make a moral choice (Bloom, 23)

Bernard takes soma to overcome what he cannot achieve by will [i.e. when jealous... of the affinity between the Savage + Helmholtz] (Bloom, 19)

for Bernard, purpose of life is not the maintenance of well-being, but “some intensification and refining of consciousness, some enlargement of knowledge” (Bloom, 29)

“When the individual feels, the community reels.” (89)

Gattaca

the genetically unenhanced Vincent is actually a superior human being, able to excel physically and socially despite his built-in "flaws."

Although Vincent is constantly reminded of his defective genes, it is his defects that have provided him with a trait that the other characters do not possess, spirit. One scene illustrates how Vincent’s spirit helps him to overcome his genetic defects: while on a date with Irene, he removes his contact lenses to hide from the police, rendering himself virtually blind. In the next scene—shot from Vincent’s out-of-focus perspective—he must cross a very busy highway at night to be with Irene. In a mixture of bravery and stupidity, he plunges across the highway, somehow making it to the other side. His desire to reach Irene allows him to overcome his defective vision, making this scene a microcosm of the film as a whole. Vincent’s bold if not miraculous crossing of the street points to his fervent desire to overcome all his real and imagined defects—whether this involves beating his genetically superior brother at swimming or working at the Gattaca corporation. The tagline for the film, "there is no gene for the human spirit," indicates that this quality cannot be engineered, emerging as it does out of an individual’s motivation when confronting the challenges of a specific context or environment. An individual who has been engineered with no flaws, such as Eugene, has nothing to overcome and no apparent need to improve himself. He thus lacks the "spirit" that Vincent has developed through the need to overcome his genetic heritage. According to GATTACA, then, the price paid for a genetically perfect world is the loss of the "human spirit."

Analysis:

Our present seems to have been replaced with a futuristic society who preferred to “hand pick” offspring rather than leaving it up to chance or God. The citizens seem to believe that genes determine one’s potential. However, Vincent would prove them wrong. One’s drive to succeed could contribute more to or just the same amount to one’s eventual accomplishments. The baby must deal with their life as an invalid. This film is the story of Vincent’s hopeful journey where he overcomes his bleak and dismal beginning.

Vincent overcomes his genes and outwits his superiors, the Valids. He succeeds in achieving his goal and triumphs over his brother and other Valids who have a cleaner profile than him. In the end, not a slave to his natural birth, Vincent frees himself from his genetics. Bernard, on the other hand, cannot adjust to life as a perceived “Gamma”.

While Vincent is able to change his identity by becoming a “borrowed ladder”, Bernard and John are not capable of concealing their identity to achieve their goals. Vincent is different from Bernard because he has more inner strength. In this sense, Vincent also differs from John since John commits suicide, and Vincent is more determined to live

In the end, Vincent is not a slave/labour because of his natural birth. He is freed from his genetics.

Vincent’s trip out of Gattaca is a prime example that genetics cannot predetermine destiny, it is just probable, thus, it is possible to fight it

“I was a member of a relatively new and particularly detested segment of society; one of those who refuses to play the hand that he was dealt.”

Vincent made the decision to become a borrowed ladder or a de-gene-rate. Due to this choice, he is subjecting himself to unknown punishment and exposing himself to a world of possibilities. He needs to work that much harder to conceal his true identity, but is unafraid of the enormity of his task. He did start to weep in one scene when he felt overwhelmed by his task. It is tiring to have to conceal your identity and spend time on getting rid of any trace of yourself while replacing it with someone else’s body matter. Nonetheless, Vincent keeps on trying and acts calmly through to the end when he knows he has no chance but give his urine without Eugene/Jerome’s help. He sees freedom in the stars and is unwilling to give up that dream because it symbolizes freedom for him. (It is the only escape from his society. He is rebelling to go somewhere where he does not have to rebel.)

“They [Maria and Anton Freeman] put off having any more children until they could afford not to gamble - to bring a child into the world in what has become the “natural” way.”

Vincent’s father appears disheartened by Vincent’s genetics and there is an urgency to satisfy his need for a worthy son. Vincent seems deeply hurt and feels the need to prove himself. He does not internalize the way his father feels about him, but he does recognize his father is disappointed in him. He would develop an envy for his brother, but also pursued his own interests. Not only is he distanced from the Valids, but he is secluded in his own family. He does not have a home and does not belong. Therefore, he wants to leave planet earth and crave for life in the stars. Although he knows nothing about life out there, he imagines it to be better. He hopes to escape to some other world. He believes anything to be better than life on earth because even at Gattaca, he is not truly happy and still does not belong. He realizes he will always need to pretend, but can never be himself. He hesitates to leave when he develops a relationship with Irene Cassini because he feels the love and sense of belonging he has not felt ever

Conclusion

Restatement of original thesis:

Key analysis:

Compelling/thought-provoking statement about the human condition:

Many scientists, ethicists and other scholars resoundingly reject technological applications that would greatly exacerbate our already shameful socioeconomic disparities. In opinion surveys about designer-baby technologies very large majorities say they are opposed. And every country in the world that has adopted laws or policies about cloning or genetically redesigning children -- more than thirty six nations -- has opted to forgo them.

Realistic unease that the new technologies of human bio-engineering trigger

Unable to balance progress and human need, and unable to control our own technology, we may be forced to give up more than we imagine. (Bloom, 22)

Similarities to differences: 1 section - similarities, 1 section - differences

Block: 1 section - novel only, 2nd section - film

Point-by-point: 1 topic - novel and film

The opposing perspectives of a highly engineered future are due to appreciation for the individual spirit. Spirit: courage, tenacity, commitment, alignment with principle , demonstration of excellence, honour, respect, humility [difference between victory and defeat]

unseen essence, expression varies with the situation, the essence itself never changes and is vital

when we lose our spirit, we die, Spirit equates with life, the energy of life itself can be termed with life, the aliveness [life energy] that sustains life, lack of that leads to life. Dispirited: dejected, defeated, hopeless

http://www.depauw.edu/SFs/essays/gattaca.htm

http://www.alternet.org/movies/80151/