THERE IS NO GENE FOR THE HUMAN SPIRIT

In Andrew Niccols 1997 film Gattaca. The movie tells us of a not so distant future where your genetic inheritance determines your place in society from birth. This Movie Stars Ethan Hawke as the main character Vincent Anton Freeman. A faith born child in a world of nearly perfect, test tube-generated people. Because of genetic testing as an infant, his life including his social class, potential career path and even life partner are predetermined. Future illnesses and mental disorders are predicted even before he leaves the hospital. In this world your DNA therefore becomes the blueprint of your intelligence, physical abilities and health. Just by analyzing one droplet of blood, you can measure ones potential capabilities, predict certain deficiencies, diseases and even expected lifespan. But, traits are not absolute. Vincent grows up in a world where he is considered to be an in-valid those who are the inferior to the much more superior valids. The valid are born talented and privileged, able to choose the profession and careers of their choice, they are the ones made from the best of both parents. In contrast, the invalid those who are born naturally, defects and all, are forever subjected to lowly jobs. Vincent dreams of becoming an astronaut and traveling to the planets. In order to reach this potential, he must become another. He infiltrates the elite, valid society by becoming a borrowed ladder by assuming the identity of Jerome Eugene Morrow who is genetically-superior but is virtually immobile due to a car accident. Before anything could happened Vincent had to go through a long painful process of becoming Jerome. When he is finally granted access to the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation, under his new false identity, Vincent takes all precautionary measures to blend perfectly into his new environment. He does this by carrying urine and blood samples from Jerome, and scrubs his own body hair and skin to remove all traces of his own genetic material. Vincent quickly rises through the ranks and is selected for his exceptional navigational abilities chosen for a trip to Saturns moon Titan. A week before the launch a murder occurs and police discover an eyelash of the real Vincent on the premises, making him the prime suspect. Now with the police thoroughly investigating Gattaca, Vincent does everything in his power to stay hidden but circumstances are

complicated more when Vincent falls in love with another astronaut candidate coping with problems perfection and of possible genetic flaws in her own DNA. Gattaca represents a world which is all about the details, and getting the details absolutely right. One false move, one wrong skin flake and Vincents dream could be destroyed. The movie had scored quite good reviews 7.8/10 on IMDb and 8.2/10 on Rotten Tomatoes. Personally I would give this movie an 8. This is a great movie not only for the acting or the special effects, but in the simple idea behind the story we have the power to control our own future. Were already entering an era where we can genetically enhance our offspring to create superior beings and map out their whole DNA sequence if desired, but as the films tagline says, there is no gene for the human spirit. Besides providing a creative, possible view of the future, this film captures the audience with the idea that anything is possible for those who dare to discover, believe, and create. A future where our genes reveal who we are and what we can be can make the possibilities endless but you are who determines your own path in life. At the films conclusion, Vincent reflects: For someone who was never meant for this world, I must confess Im suddenly having a hard time leaving it. Of course, they say every atom in our bodies was once part of a star. Maybe Im not leaving maybe Im going home. Is the knowledge of when youll die, or which is the most compatible mate really something to seek? Maybe knowing is our downfall. Maybe there are some things that should remain untouched, but for now all we can do is wait and see how things work. In the end, who we will ultimately become is not written in our DNA because there is no gene for the human spirit. Liz Chiem