Blog #5 - Final

Stephanie Ramsaran
English 101-0768
Dr.Vasileiou
Essay 1-Final Draft

Society where Dystopia is reviled.
Humanity believes that being born as a perfect  individual will make you one step closer to be the “better human”. In 1997 Andrew Niccol director and writer of the film “Gattaca”, describes a world where humans are scientifically enhanced in age. Where individuals believe the genetically engineered world, which diseases and imperfection no longer exist. Genetically enhanced societies compared to the past centuries to the naked eye portray a Utopia, however if you look in between the lines you’ll find a Dystopian Society.

Humans live their lives finding themselves, becoming unique. Its humanness to learn and have devotion into something by practicing to be the best, the special one. As said by George j Annas “ can we change our humanness without undermining our dignity and our rights?” Meaning if we genetically engineer ourselves can we still call our selves human? Or are we going to loose what makes us human. The “better human” which every individuals wants to become, having the life of being everything you wish you could be or your parents want you to be.

The going rate of the quality of human life, gave the society Gattaca an appearance of utopia. A Utopian world where people were genetically engineered, being invented to be absolutely perfect; having the best genes from both parents. Where the words disease, and illness doesn’t exist. Children born in this society that are enhanced were called “valid”. The Valid were the new generation of humans, developed to live long life’s, be intelligent, to help the society grow more in the age of science.
Past Centuries believing that our society could enhance this much, would see in their eyes a Utopian society. Due to the fact those centuries ago, and even in the 21 century we deal with death rate increasing, disorders, and new diseases are being found. Also even environmental problems, having global warming Mother Nature disasters. The society in many eyes portrays a Utopian image, however most don’t seem to look deep enough of what’s really going on. Where there are valid, there are In-Vaild’s. A small population where children were born attack society, where they were called the “god” child. Not being genetically engineered, having to be criticized by their blood. The Enhanced humans got to be in the high level of society, helping our world begin the new age. In Gattaca we are able to frequently travel in space finding new worlds, exploring space and learning what is beyond the stars. Being a society where knowable is in our reach. Even though the world in gattaca helps the thought of removing major problems of our world, it doesn’t focus on how us, as the humans we are in todays age are born with unique strands of DNA that aren't tampered with to loose what makes us one of a kind.
Looking in between the lines of the society of gattaca, you see the world of Dystopia strive In valid populations were discrimination is being judged by their blood and genes. The New ages stereotype meant being an in-valid relinquished the opportunity to become something better, the majority of invalids only had the job opportunity to become nothing more than a janitor. No matter how much an in-valid tried, they were always looked at as the lower society. Such as the main character of the film Vincent, who had the percentage of 99% of dying by the age of 30 from a heart condition? Even though Vincent had the devotion in working for Gattaca, he was always looked at by his genes and not by the person he is. Further on in Vincent’s life he had a younger brother named Anton who happened to be born as Valid. Vincent always had the feeling that Anton was better and everyone treated him like he was. With practice and devotion Vincent believed in himself that he could be as good as his brother. One day, Vincent challenged Anton to a swim race or what they called it “chicken”, and what happened was a miracle. Vincent beat Anton for the first time, after that day Vincent knew anything was possible. Anton asked how Vincent managed to win the last two races. Vincent told him that the only reason why he managed to win was because he “never saved anything for the swim-back.”
Gattca was portrayed as a utopian society, when being compared from past centuries. However looking more into the society gattaca is not a utopia due to the fact that it doesn’t reach the limits to become one. Based by George j Anna’s quote about the “better human”, tell us genetically engineering makes us less human and just more experiments. Even though the Gattaca society was an idea of a utopia, however for the human race, Gattaca was a dystopia, where humans are being discriminated by their genes and not by the person that’s within.