Gattaca

From science fiction movies like Gattaca to the reality of genetically modified food, the concept of designing bacteria, animals and even human genes has fascinated our imagination and culture for decades. This obsession is not surprising considering the significant impact of gene editing technologies on our society.It has long been debated whether humanity should continue to expand the application scope of the gene editing technologies, especially in public health services.Within the argument there are two perspectives present: Yes, scientists ought to introduce this technology to the public health service due to its extremely high medical value; and no, governments should stop relevant experiments because of the high uncertainty and risks involved in this kind of technology.

Let us start with a simple introduction of gene editing technologies. From a scientific point of view, gene editing is a method that allows scientists to design the DNA of many organisms, including bacteria, plants, and animals. In fact, editing DNA can lead to many changes in our physical features, like eye colors, intelligence quotient and even the disease risks. Figuratively speaking, this technology just acts in the same way with a pair of scissors, cutting the DNA at a certain location.

Then scientists are able to cut, add, and change the DNA where it was cut. In the very beginning, the first gene editing tool was invented in the 1900s. More recently, a new gene editing method called CRISPR, discovered in 2009, has made it much easier to edit DNA. CRISPR is a method which is easier, quicker, cheaper, and more accurate than others. (‘Genome Editing’, 2017). Therefore, many scientists prefer to use CRISPR to perform gene editing. However, the improvement of the editing technology does not mean that risks and dangers are completely eliminated.

Let us go back to the title of the article again. According to Merriam-Webster, ‘expand access’ means to expand the permission.To be more specific, expanding gene editing technologies to areas that are not allowed to be studied or applied now. In other words, we need to apply embryo editing in clinical trials, which is strictly restricted by the existing laws and regulations. For example, in the United States, authorities currently are not allowed to consider proposals for this kind of research due to an ongoing prohibition on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s use of federal funds to review ‘research in which a human embryo is intentionally created or modified to include a heritable genetic modification.’ Besides, in a number of other countries, genome-editing trials are also prohibited entirely. (The National Academies Press (2017)).

This is mainly because gene therapies which are non-inheritable are considered as slightly acceptable; however, permanent edits or inheritable changes are considered extremely dangerous and unethical. In short, scientists do not know what will be the possible outcomes if inheritable changes are passed on to the next generations. A mistake in gene editing process could mean that all coming generations of that person are going to have that specific defect in their genes. The danger seems to be extremely severe, while we are not supposed to neglect the medical advancement brought by the gremline-editing as well. Therefore, what we really need to discuss is whether the medical value of human embryo editing is worth expanding the application scope, even if we take such a tremendous risk.

First of all, let us talk about the benefits of gene editing in germ cells. According to Chris Gyngell, a Genetics specialist at Cambridge University, ‘Gene editing techniques hold the promise of curing genetic defects such as cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, Huntington Disease, and some forms of Alzheimer’s disease.’ It indicates the importance of the gene editing technologies.Currently, the only feasible and available method to prevent genetic disorders involves using IVF (in vitro fertilization) and PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis).

Nevertheless, these kinds of techniques do not provide a therapeutic effect, it only prevents individuals who would have had a genetic disease from coming into existence. In contrast, gene editing technologies could provide permanent benefits to future generations by curing them of their genetic disease. More importantly,’There is no medical treatment for hereditary diseases with genetic defects.’ Qian Cheng, the director of the biological treatment center at southwest hospital of the third military medical university, said ‘the most fundamental way to treat genetic diseases is to correct the mutated genes.’ Therefore, gene editing is the only effective and promising way to cure genetic diseases now.

In fact, there have been successful cases of gene editing for incurable diseases.Among the common genetic diseases, for example, thalassemia, a disease commonly seen in Asia and Africa, is dragging down countless families mentally and economically. According to World Health Organization, there are more than 10% human carriers of thalassemia gene mutation in these areas.In 2016, China released relevant data showing that there are about 300,000 people with severe and intermediate thalassemia in China, and about 30 million people with “Thalassaemia” genes.(Mingya, W.(2018)) These patients usually need to lose red blood cells every month, but this will lead to the deposition of iron in the organs. Another alternative cure is heterologous hematopoiesis, which is related to stem cells.

However, stem cells have very high requirements for matching, so the success rate of matching is very low. Most patients can only consume a short life while waiting for a suitable match. There is no effective way to cure this disease now. However, using gene editing technology will make it possible to provide more efficient, safe, and precise treatment options for Thalassemia.Besides, in 2015, scientists successfully used gene therapy in the United Kingdom to help a girl named Layla fight leukemia, a type of cancer.

Actually, doctors had given up all hope of saving Layla Richards, after she failed to respond to chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.But when desperate parents begged to try anything to cure their daughter, specialists agreed to attempt something entirely unique—the gene editing technology. Within a month, those genetically edited immune cells killed all the cancer cells in her bone marrow. She is recovering well and there is no sign of the cancer returning now.(The Guardian (November 05, 2015))

While such applications might at first glance be appealing and beneficial to those who are directly affected, the potential dangers are likely to be substantial. For instance, there are scientific concerns that CRISPR could inadvertently target other genes in the genome and such unexpected genetic manipulations could change biological functions. These are genetic changes that would actually be permanent and the fear is that there could be unanticipated side effects. Couple that with the ethical concerns of people misusing this technology to intentionally modify the genome to make “designer babies” with enhanced characteristics.

Since the uncontrollability and unknown nature of gene editing technology have been clarified, if we force this technology to expand the scope of application, accidents and failures are inevitable. Just imagine when we use this technique for patients, and it goes wrong and misses the target, how do we deal with the situation and those patients? Can we reproductively segregate a person who misses a target? If so, it will be a violation of human rights, and the editor was deprived of the right to have children.

If not, it is inconsistent with human responsibility. After all, the edited failed genes will be passed on to the next generation, affecting more people and polluting the gene pool.In addition, genome-editing might disable a tumor-suppressor gene or activates a cancer-causing one. Two studies, one from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and the other from the biomedical research in Cambridge, independently found that double-strand DNA breakage caused by CRISPR actually activates the p53 protein pathway.

In other words, cells that successfully edit genes are likely to be potential cancer cells, and using CRISPR for clinical treatment inadvertently increases the risk of cancer.(The Nature commentary (2018)) Besides, the number of abnormal genetic mutations increases.A team of US based researchers from Stanford University, Columbia University and the University of Iowa sequenced the whole genome of mice that had previously undergone CRISPR gene editing.

The researchers surprisingly found that mice treated with CRISPR technology had undergone 1500 unintended single nucleotide mutations, as well as more than 100 large deletions and insertions of genetic material.(Howden J. (May, 2017)) However, mutations beyond normal level are the cause of certain diseases. 《Science News 2013》explains how many other diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and asthma, are linked to genetic mutations.(Menamos J. (October, 2017 ))Such considerations undoubtedly contribute to the proposed suspension of clinical trials using gene editing techniques.(PMC(August, 2015))

In fact, scientists had made such an attempt. On November 26, 2018, He Jiankui, a scientist from China, announced that under his leadership, two girls whose genes had been edited and were able to immunize against AIDS had recently been born in China. However, 122 Chinese scientists immediately issued a joint statement expressing their firm opposition and strong condemnation to any attempt to edit a genetically inheritable human embryo. Although this objection is directed at this immature and premature experiment rather than the gene technologies, it still indicates that scientists are extremely cautious about putting the technology into clinical practice.

Generally speaking, the reason why the public opposes the use of gene editing technology in germ cell editing is predominantly focused on moral issues.It seems that gene editing directly in human embryos using currently available technologies might have unpredictable side effects on future generations. This makes it dangerous and ethically unacceptable. However, many technologies have unpredictable influence on future generations, while this does not mean that they are either morally unacceptable or dangerous.

Who can ever predict the influence of the information technologies like the smart phones or internet on future generations? Opponents of gene editing might object that such technologies do not operate at the genetic level, like CRISPR, and are not passed heritably down to the next generation. Nevertheless, this is a deep misconception – environmental interventions, like modified social interaction, have tremendous effects, modifying brain development and can be inherited as well.

In conclusion, although there are still many risks and uncertainty involved in embryo editing, the tremendous medical advances it brings are still worth taking. After all, there is still no alternative treatment for terminally ill patients.In the face of desperate patients, rather than doing nothing, we are at least trying. In the long run, with the development of science and technology, the possibility of this risk will continue to decrease, and ethical issues and off-target issues will gradually become less important. All in all, putting the only solution into public health services can save countless lives.

The novel Lord of the Flies begins with a vision of a utopian society and setting but progresses into a disappoint island full of savagery and loss of civilization and innocence. When the boys are originally marooned on a well resourced tropical island, a place with no adults where they are free from the rules and structures of civilization and society, they are excited and ideally believe that they can create a perfect new world for themselves. This is particularly emphasized when Ralph states “But this is a good island. We- Jack, Simon and me- we climbed the mountain. It’s wizard.

There’s food and drinks, and-” The repetition of the word ‘and’ stresses how the boys believe the island is perfect and accommodates for all their needs. The true disappoint nature of the island is quickly revealed as the book progresses through the boys becoming murderous savages with a loss of civilization and innocence. The responders can draw parallels between the film Cattle and Lord of the Flies as Cattle too was originally portrayed as a Utopia. The society set up in the film is based around the idea of perfection and conformity where genetic engineering is used to create the ‘ideal’ human being.

Sound, costume and lighting are used to contribute to the effect of the setting. The costumes worn by Cattle employees are somber uniforms symbolic of an impersonal society and the only people who are focused on in close ups are Jerome, Doctor Lamer and Irene as the rest of the characters within the corporation are shown to not be individuals and there faces are blurred to symbolism this. The white light in Cattle is used to create a sense of cleanliness and artificial sterility reflecting the manufactured society.

This sterile setting conceals the dark side of Cattle, being one of discrimination towards the “inferior” of society revealing that in fact Cattle is more of a dyspepsia as it isolates those of society who do not have modified genes. Within the society of Cattle, there is impenitent discrimination based on the assumption that genetic manipulation improves an individual. The opening scene begins with the amplified sound of fingernails falling to the floor with the use of extreme close-ups of genetic material, emphasizing the importance of genes in the society.

Any child born without genetic engineering are seen as inferior and prejudice is displayed to them through their limited career paths and how they are treated by the upper society. The themes of superiority as opposed to inferiority are used forewarn humanity that people can oppress capable individuals and discriminate against them for their individuality and differences. Similarly, discrimination and prejudice is particularly evident in Lord of the flies which is shown by how the “littlest” are treated.

The littlest don’t even merit names and are treated as inferior rudeness which is utilized when Jack states, “l hope the best prefers Littleton. ” The symbolism and repeated motifs accentuates to the responders how the younger children are viewed as useless and not looked after as they are of less importance to the older boys. It demonstrates the lack of care and consideration shown towards the little children along. The older children hope that their own safety can be exchanged for that of the littlest. It is a symbol of their disregard for the younger children and the intolerance shown towards them.

As the book progresses, the boys become less and less unconcerned about overlooking the ‘littlest’ and as their interest in looking after each other as a community deteriorates, the weaker they become and more susceptible to savagery as they begin to lose their humanity. This serves as a warning to mankind as humans overlook people of perceived less importance and tend to focus on themselves. Even Piggy who represents the rational, intellectual aspect of society and who offered the most helpful advice was discriminated against by the boys and was disregarded and shunned because of his appearances and differences.

These are warnings that in society people are quick to discriminate anyone different to the mainstream, even though they may be of greater importance then initially realized. Cattle and Lord of the Flies both act as warnings to mankind which is exemplified through the theme of identity. The opening scene in Cattle emphasizes the restrictions on society expectations as shadows create a bar like pattern on Vincent body as he scrubs his body of excess DNA material.

This film technique symbolically emphasizes the sense of imprisonment that Vincent feels as an invalid” in that society and enforces how his identity makes him feel trapped in the advanced society he lives in. Vincent states “l belonged to a new underclass, no longer determined by social status or the color of your skin. We now have discrimination down to a science.

Stephanie Sadaka Mr. Sisti April 26th, 2010 ENG 4U1 Literary Insight Paper After reading the novel 1984 and watching the movie Gattaca, I was able to perceive many concepts and similarities and differences between both pieces of art. Gattaca, directed by Andrew Niccol, shows a story of a society where life is controlled by genetics, rather than education or experiences. Based on your DNA, society determines where you belong, and your future. This allows no room for people to gain experiences and to grow, as they are confined to a specific lifestyle.

It is evident however in the film that Vincent tries to violate societies’ structure, by playing the role of a navigator, using his blood samples and urine. George Orwell, the author of 1984, shows a similar concept, where life is controlled by the Party and where the main character, Winston, tries to defy the Party. Although it is obvious that both works have a , the societies within it struggle to achieve a utopian society instead.

Through its intense depiction of struggles to fit in and altering way of life to be accepted in society, Gattaca enhanced my understanding of the impact that surveillance has in 1984 and how it has limited the people to prosper in life within society. Due to the dystopian society, the totalitarian government is enforcing surveillance which plays a negative impact on the characters and the plot. Throughout the novel 1984, it is noticeable that surveillance throughout the city plays a deep role in the growth of the characters.

Surveillance had an underlying impact on the love connection between the main characters Winston and Julia. When engaging in a love affair, it is vital to spend time with one another and to show affection. The surveillance that the Party has enforced upon the society hindered their love connection and the ability to pursue a serious relationship. By not allowing citizens to show love and affection to one another, they are enforcing within the society, which ultimately leads to the lack of social skills and ability to care or love.

Gattaca allowed me to understand this issue in 1984, because in the film Gattaca, the love between Vincent and Irene was kept a secret from society as they couldn’t show love and affection towards one another in public. This caused them to rebel against society, by meeting up secretly and showing affection towards one another outside the public eye. The surveillance that the Party enforced within society did not allow the people to enjoy hobbies or areas of work they may excel in. Instead of allowing citizens to spend time doing things they may enjoy, they obligated them to do what the Party needs.

This is obviously shown when Winston is trying to write in his journal in his room. Instead of freely writing about the topic of his choice, he sits in the corner to write because he fears the consequences that the Party may enforce on him if they found out. Gattaca opened me up to this idea due to the fact that Vincent’s dream is to travel to space, yet due to his genetic make up, society does not permit him to do what he enjoys. People are under surveillance at all times, therefore they may never experience what they enjoy due to the constant fear of being caught.

Not only did Gattaca allow me to view a different side of how love and hobbies may be restricted due to surveillance, it has also given me a view on how surveillance causes people to change who they truly are. Instead of expressing their true selves and bringing forth their assets to society, the characters are wearing a mask around others, by acting or pretending to be like someone they are not. Vincent in Gattaca is hiding his true identity in society in order to pursue his life long dream of travelling to space. In order not to get caught, he must mirror the life of another character and must not let society find out his true identity.

This broadened my understanding about the Party’s surveillance on society and the effect it had on the growth of the characters. Due to the Party’s constant surveillance over people, the characters are hiding their true selves and playing the role as a perfect citizen in front of the cameras, as they are confined to a specific lifestyle and in order not to face the Party’s consequences. Throughout the novel, Winston is always hiding his thoughts about the Party and about Big Brother, although he is completely against it.

However, in order to ensure that he does not get caught, he must act as though he loves them and agrees with their power over society. Surveillance is shaping these characters to be a perfect representation of what they are expected to be, instead of being who they are. In conclusion, it is evident that surveillance has taken a toll on the characters in these pieces of art. Gattaca helped me understand and notice the severe impact that surveillance has on society and the impact it has on the lives of the citizens in 1984.

The characters are covering their true selves in order to be accepted and to fit within the society. Not only is surveillance restricting their ability to show love and affection, it is also preventing the characters from expressing what they enjoy, and being who they are by living to their full potential. This new perspective has helped me understand the underlying significance that surveillance has on society in both 1984 and the film Gattaca and the restrictions it placed on the many characters.

Gattaca 2. 10 Gattaca by Andrew Niccol Robbie Bentley In the film Gattaca by Andrew Niccol, an important scene that conveys meaning in the film is the night club/alley scene. It shows us Vincent’s feelings towards Irene and how desperate he is to not getting caught. I chose this scene to write about because it uses multiple aspects of film to convey meaning in the text. The aspects I’ve chosen to analyse are Mise En-Scene, Camera, Sound and Editing. In the night club/alley scene, an important aspect used to get across meaning is music and sound effects.

When Jerome and Irene are sitting in the night club there is relaxed, low-tempo music playing which gets progressively louder whilst they dance, until it builds up to the kiss which is interrupted by the detective. This is a good use of music as it fits the elegancy of the scene. Nice easy going, almost dreamlike as it builds up, drawing in the audience audience into the moment. The music cuts out, snapping everything back to reality as the detective walks in. Another important example of sound is when Jerome and Irene are escaping through the alley.

The use of both music and amplified sound in this part of the scene helps build tension. When they start running, a sort of low aching strings music comes in which sounds almost tortured and off-note. This gradually gets louder the longer they run to help the audience understand the tension in this part. Also their footsteps are amplified to emphasise the desperateness in their escape. After Irene slips and they hide in the alley, the music cuts out and Anton yells “Vincent! ” The cut out of music shows the seriousness of this part due to the very sudden cuts of music.

Another important aspect of film in the alley scene is camera work. An example of this is when Jerome and Irene are escaping through the alley. When they start running, the camera starts tracking their feet. This is to show the audience directly they’re running away. The camera slowly pans up to an almost point of view shot, trailing behind them. This is a good film technique because it makes the audience feel as if they’re being chased by the camera, which in this shot symbolises not only the detectives but Jerome’s fear of being caught.

It then moves into a shot from the front of them, still running they pass the camera into another follow shot. I think this is a good shot because them passing the camera shows the speed at which they are going. A third effective film aspect use in the night club/alley scene is editing. In the night club scene, the length of each shot is very stretched out. This a good use of editing because the slow transitions of shots and the relaxed music makes the scene seem very relaxed.

It also lets the audience stop and take in the environment of the night club. This contrasts well when the scene changes in the alley. In the alley everything picks up pace, with the shots transitioning much faster as Vincent knocks out the bodyguard and they escape. This sudden speed up from the previous scene draws the audience into the moment as the tension lifts dramatically. After Irene trips over and they go to hide in the alley, the shots start to drag out again. This helps show that they’re safe.

A serene sort of music comes in which supports the slow transitions, taking the feel of the scene back to that slow sort of romantic feeling. A useful film technique used in conjunction with sound, editing and camera work is mise en-scene. The set in the night club is made to look very elegant, with chandeliers hanging from the high-arched beautifully decorated ceiling. The lighting fits into the look as well with a dim low yellow light. The night clubs seat really compliments Irene’s dress.

This is done on purpose to show the audience Vincent’s feelings that he has towards Irene and to highlight her significance to him in the film. The contrast moving from the elegant night club to the dark, gloomy alley is quite a significant one. This transition helps change the mood of the audience from being happy/lovey dovey to a more serious, tense mood. The use of the alley being lit by the green light from the cop car is a good example of effective lighting because as Irene and Vincent are running it looks like a fog light almost, chasing for them.

The walls of the alley almost look wet, this gives it a gloomy, cave like look. I think this is used to symbolise Vincent running into a big dark cave in which he can’t turn back in. The night club/alley scene is an important scene in Gattaca because it shows the audience how Vincent feels towards Irene but also how desperate he is to not get caught. I think Andrew Niccols purpose of this scene is to show the passion between Vincent and Irene to the audience by using several film techniques used to pull the two parts of the scene together and convey meaning.

Gattaca Viewing Essay Themes in texts are what make them interesting and engaging. A text which has a number of intriguing themes is the feature film Gattaca, written and directed by Andrew Niccol, and released in 1997. One particular theme which is evident in Gattaca is the idea that the most important key to a person’s success is not their genetic material but their ambitions, drive and determination. This theme is explored in the film through the conventions of performance and characterisation, camera angles, camera shots and by music/sound.

Early in the film Gattaca, Vincent undergoes a transformation. Prior to the transformation Vincent is seen as an unconfident person with bad body language, baggy clothing and glasses which all indicates that Vincent is inferior. Vincent wants to be able to work at Gattaca but he knows that he can’t make it in because of his genetic material (heart problem), so he meets German (broker) who helps Vincent undergo the transformation. When German asks Vincent how committed he is to the project; Vincent says “I’d give 100%,” to which German replies, “That’ll get you halfway there”.

This shows you how much effort Vincent has to put in to get into Gattaca, but with drive and determination on Vincent’s side he not only gets into Gattaca but one of their elites. After Vincent’s transformation from a “borrowed ladder” to a valid his attitude and looks had changed completely. His posture and body language had become almost perfect and his attitude to life had also transformed completely; making him look like a professional. You can finally see the complete transformation when Vincent has his interview at Gattaca, when he looks into the mirror.

You can see that Vincent is impressed with what he has transformed into. During the film Gattaca, the mission director at Gattaca was brutally murdered, in which Investigators took control of Gattaca and checked everything, everywhere and everyone, gene to gene. When Vincent sees all of these people searching for clues and evidence he slightly loses faith and starts to rethink his whole dream. The investigators find a suspect, but no details are given except a picture (of Vincent) and the fact that the suspect is an invalid.

There are many different scenes in which Vincent almost gets caught, but one of the tensest scenes was when Vincent went on the treadmill for his training. Prior to this scene we see Jerome clip a heart rate monitor onto himself and we see him ride his wheel chair so they can record his heartbeat, which we figure out that Vincent is going to end up using it. When Vincent goes onto the treadmill we see him quickly switch heart rate monitors and then we see him jogging. Then we see two investigator walk into the gym facility where everyone is getting there heart rate checked, including Vincent.

While the investigators are talking to the doctors we, the viewers can hear Vincent’s heart beat (non-diegetic), which slowly builds up the tension. Then when the investigators and the doctor are talking about Vincent, his Heart beat monitors recording finished early so we can hear his real heartbeat which is going really fast so he quickly unclipped his heart rate monitor and walked off. This shows you the risks and challenges that Vincent faces every day and the ways he deals with them.

At the beginning of Gattaca Vincent and his brother Anton play a dangerous game called “Chicken”. Chicken involves Vincent and Anton battling against each other and against the great force of nature as they swim out into the ocean as far as they possibly can until one gives in or turns back. Both Anton and Vincent are presented through high angles to show their inferiority and insignificance compared to rough and wavy ocean. There are also scenes in which they are displayed through eye level shots to show that the conditions are equal to both of them.

Later on in the film Vincent and Anton go back out into the ocean and have another game of Chicken in which Vincent, against all odds beats Anton. This is a significant part of the film because Vincent finally realises that he can achieve anything and he can finally travel into space. “It was the one moment in our lives that my brother was not as strong as he believed, and I was not as weak. It was the moment that made everything possible”. Camera angles help support the theme that the most important key to a person’s success is not their genetic material but their ambitions, drive and determination.

At the end of Gattaca, Vincent was only moments away from achieving his goal to go to Gattaca. At the same time Jerome is preparing to end his life. These two scenes are intercut so we can see Vincent finally getting onto the rocket and achieving his goal while Jerome is stepping into the incinerator preparing to kill himself because he lived a miserable life, having perfect genetic material but a lack of determination and drive. This scene is extremely tense because we feel emotionally overwhelmed; happy for Vincent and sympathetic for Jerome.

We also feel quite emotional because we know Jerome is going to die happy and we know that he was happy to be part of Vincent’s transformation: “I got the better end of the deal. I only lent you my body … you lent me your dream”. This is the final scene of the film that completes the theme. Vincent made his dream come true, not because of his genetic material but because of his ambitions, drive and determination. It is evident in the feature film Gattaca, by Andrew Niccol that the key to a person’s success is not their genetic material but their ambitions, drive and determination.

Gattaca is full of interesting ideas and themes which are explored throughout Vincent’s journey. The conventions of performance and characterisation, camera angles, camera shots and music/sound all help develop the theme. I believe that this would have to be one of my favourite movies because of all of the representations and because the story behind it inspired me to become a better person. I would also recommend this movie to anyone because it reaches out to a wide target audience and I would definitely rate it a 10 out of 10. By Anthony (hshs)