Genoism in Gattaca
Discrimination is almost as old as time itself. It has existed throughout history, whether it be because of race or religion. Drawing people apart for no good reason. In Gattaca, discrimination has evolved into something more complex. Discrimination, which was once something blossomed of intolerance, has become a new field of study. In that new world, they have prejudice so dialed, it’s down to a science.
Genes, fundamental for life and found in everyone of us. They dwell among the thousands in our 46 chromosomes. Without them our life would cease to exist. These tiny genes are the instructions for life and yet are invisible to the naked eye. Though studied for about a hundred years, these things still reside in a cloak of mystery. These tiny beings became more and more complex over millions of years of evolution. They rely on genetic variation to undergo these changes. If they rely on change, why are people discriminated against because of differences in genes? Is that not what makes everyone unique? Isn’t that why we are such complex organisms in the first place?
The essence of discrimination, is based on ignorance. In what world would someone who is the same species but is slightly different, be any less or more capable of something than another? Humans are so scared of dissimilarity, they take it as a threat. Many make up excuses for things they can't understand. They resort and twist things into things they can comprehend, even if it may not be the truth. Gattaca’s advancements in the field of genetics, morphs prejudice into a kind of truth rather than an opinion.
Gattaca’s population is made up of two types of people; the valids and the invalids. The valids, are constructed in a lab and are considered to be perfect. Those born “naturally” are considered invalid. Because the valids are so close to perfection, all the good jobs go to them, no matter how hard the invalids work. Job interviews include nothing more than a draw of blood, because everything they need to know is in a person's genes. While the valids are guaranteed success and opportunities from birth, the invalids struggle to keep jobs, and are laughed at when talking about their dreams. In the movie, it is stated that there are laws against genoism, but no one follows them. Nothing the person can control matters, such as actions or personality. They are solely judged on things inherited to them against their will and that they had no choice over.
Discrimination in any form is unethical. People should be given value based on how they act not what they are born with. Humans as a whole should learn to accept people’s differences, no matter how absurd or weird they might seem. They aren’t wrong or bad, just different. Ultimately, we’re all the same people who rely on each other for survival. We all spurred off from the same descendants million of years ago. How can someone be better than the other when we are all the same?
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