Gattaca Essay

The idea of genetic engineering was once the domain of science fiction, with movies depicting armies of identical soldiers intent on taking over the world. The concept of genetic engineering is common knowledge for the majority of people today. However, the idea of this is usually associated with genetically modified food, as it has become an everyday thing in our society. While people read about the unknown hazards of genetically modified foods, they don’t tend to be overly worried that their tomatoes last an inordinately long time all thanks to genetic modification. It is very different though when humans are involved. The idea of genetically modifying is very controversial because while the human race could be improved, there would be many problems that would arise from it.

   

Throughout history, parents have waited for their children to be born, hoping for a certain gender. Mothers-to-be ate certain foods and slept certain ways, all in a misguided effort to influence the gender of their child.  This is because, in many societies around the globe, there is certain value placed on specific genders. In many societies, a higher value is placed on male children. Especially, in societies where the number of children is limited, the idea of have a male child is considered critical to the support of the family as well as the survival of the family ‘name’.

The natural balance of male to female children would be forever changed with genetic engineering. It seems like a harmless idea at first because parents are just given the opportunity to choose the gender of their child. However, in societies where a male child has higher value, the balance of children born would tip precariously with too many male children and few choosing to have the less desirable female children.

A child’s sex is not the only thing that could be controlled with genetic engineering. Parents would be able to select traits that the deem more desirable for their children. It might be eye color, or strong bones, but partners would begin the select what their ideal child would look like. This would affect natural selection, where traits that might not seem important lead to healthier and healthier children over generations.

Bringing it back to the genetically modified food, we have traded the taste among other things just for the longevity and size of the plant. If we genetically engineered humans we might end up doing the same thing. We might end up trading creativity and individuality for this perfection.  

Gattaca Essay

by Ryan Keeney

If a couple had a baby who died and could not have any more babies, but had the opportunity to clone their baby, should they be allowed to clone it?

This question raises many, very deep questions that would be almost impossible to answer within this essay. It raises both ethical and legal issues, some of which are very controversial. That being said, in my opinion, if a couple has a baby who dies at any point, from a purely technical standpoint, should be allowed to clone it.

To begin with, does a couple have the legal rights to their genetic material? This question can be answered by looking at somewhat similar procedures that take place in our current society. When couples go through the process of modern procedures like in-vitro fertilization, they have the rights to their own frozen embryos. This sets a precedent for future procedures that face a similar issue, such as the cloning of a deceased child. But that only works for embryos and newborns. If the child is born, and lives for a few years before dying, would their unique genetic code be considered their property, and therefore, not technically available to be used by the parents to clone the deceased child? Would the child have to give consent before death? In my opinion, if the child is too young to understand what being cloned means, and they are still immature, the responsibility of determining what happens to their genetic material if they die should lie with the parents. After all, parents in today’s society control pretty much everything involving a child’s health, including whether or not they receive medical care, get vaccinated, or go to the doctor. Should their genetics be treated any differently?

If the parents did decide to clone a child who had been alive for a significant amount of time before, would they simply be treated as the original person once they grew up? If the clone knew that they were in fact a copy of someone who had lived before them, they may feel alienated, or like a replacement. A similar phenomenon occurs in children who are adopted who, once they find out, feel different or separated, especially if they have siblings that are biological children of the parents. Therefore, I believe that if a couple does make the decision to clone their deceased child, the clone should not be informed that he or she is a clone until he/she is ready.

As with most things involving tampering with genetics, this would raise several ethical and moral issues. For example, the cloning of a child that died at birth or as a newborn would almost certainly be viewed differently from the cloning of a deceased teenager or even adult. Another ethical issue that would be faced by the parents would be if the child died due to abuse or neglect by the parents, would the parents be allowed to try again? The first issue regarding the age of the potential cloned person at the time of death is probably the most difficult to answer. Personally, I would only have this procedure done if the child was stillborn or miscarried. However, it is completely up to the parents as to if they should clone their child or not. Another, simpler question to answer is whether a child who died due to abuse or neglect by the parents. To me, if the parents are deemed unfit to care for the child, they should not be allowed to clone him/her unless they can guarantee that the child is placed under the protection of another responsible legal guardian, such as a grandparent or other trustworthy family member.

In conclusion, the idea of cloning a child who died because a couple could not have more children raises many ethical and moral questions. However, in my opinion, the procedure should be allowed if the safety and well-being of the child is insured.   

Gattaca essay

Science Gattaca Essay

       Scientist are debating genetically modifying trees so they grow faster and absorb more carbon to solve global warming. This idea is a good one for multiple reasons.

     If we modify trees to grow faster, than we can plant more and have them grow over unused land.  We would then be able to rebuild the rainforests which will then help diminish extinction of species.  The growth rate really affects our lumber industries too.  These factories can't clear cut so they have to wait while more trees grow and then cut them which takes years.  With faster growing trees we can cut more often and not worry about destroying ecosystems.  

    If the trees are able to absorb more carbon we can slow global warming and produce more oxygen.  We can save our planet slowly but efficiently.  The trees would prosper and thrive and species will blossom.  We never really get back the ozone but we can stop destroying it.  Also the planting of these trees affects everywhere even the melting ice caps.  If these trees stop global warming and the Earth goes back to the way it was before, we can save the ice caps and the animals living there.

    There is a downside. With genetically modified trees there could be a disease that could go through and kill them all and destroy all life on Earth.  Also with trees that absorb more carbon and produce more oxygen that can create more oxygen than needed and affect everything and may even kill.  If our carbon level goes back to normal but the trees still absorb more than those levels will drop and cause problems in the world.  

   Genetically modifying trees is a good idea but has some downfalls.  We can save the world but also destroy it.

Gattaca essay

GATTACA ESSAY

Divina Rodriguez

Mr.Bursch

Honors Biology

13 January 2014

According to Vincent, discrimination against degenerates like him is 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”,”God children" or the official term, "in-valids." In-valids who illegally use the genetic profiles of "valids",the genetically enhanced, are called "de-gene-erates" or "borrowed ladders." Meaning this caused some challenges for Vincent.

Several scenes portrayed physical barriers that illustrates the obstacles GATTACA’s society places in the path of degenerates. One scene shows the new "glass ceiling" that exists. This ceiling represents genetic discrimination that  is illegal but openly practiced. Vincent, who’s "borrowed ladder" status as Jerome could only get a job as a janitor at Gattaca. This is shown when Vincents face pressed against a window looking up at the valids who work inside as they rising escalators. Similarly, Vincent is often shown gazing up through a skylight as Gattaca’s rockets skyward, leaving him forever below.

These glass barriers materialize the challenges 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. Despite the fact that he has studied hard and is mentally 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”.

Discrimination against the in-valids shows that genetic descrimination is the true problem of the world. In this case, the genetically enhanced should always perform better than the genetically unenhanced and genetic discrimination is justified.