How Technology Can Become Dangerous and Uncontrollable

How Technology Can Become Dangerous and Uncontrollable

_‘Gattaca shows us how technology can become dangerous and uncontrollable.’ Discuss._
Genetic discrimination, labeling people forever, is depicted by Niccol as misguided, unfair and gives a separating environment within a society. Genes become fate. Genoist society rejects the desires and dreams of un-enhanced in-valids like Vincent. This dangerous world of prejudice is shown when in-valids segregated in ghettos, are rounded up after the Director’s murder, and the disapproving attitude of the policeman towards Eugene, before learning of his genetic build. Ashamed of Vincent’s genetic ‘destiny’, his father gives his name to his next son, who is genetically engineered for the elite. Shots of Vincent’s childhoods show him separated from the family group, revealing divisions and genetic discrimination even in the family itself. Anton, fearful of ‘inferior’ blood, refuses to become Vincent’s blood brother, giving a form of superiority. When Vincent isn’t allowed to attend school, because the ‘insurance’ won’t cover it, it shows to us again the discriminating and dangerous world that uncontrolled technology created.
The falsity of predictive genetics is exposed through Vincent who rises above his ‘destiny’. His careful scrubbing and erasing genetic materials stress the struggle required to defy society’s imposed destiny. Proving ‘there is no gene for fate’, Vincent transforms and challenges the wisdom of allowing genetic potential to decide the future of individuals, while inspiring others, during his journey to the stars. Twice he beats Anton at swimming; proving genes are not the sole determinant- ‘The impossible happened. It was the one moments in our lives that my brother was not as strong as he believed, and I was not as weak.’ Instead of the physiological fate, it is the strengths an individual holds that determines the future of an individual, and Vincent proves this. Vincent’s defects give him the spirit Eugene, Josef and Anton lack. Niccol condemns the...

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