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Gattaca

Gattaca

Gattaca is set in the future with the perspective that discrimination will be based on DNA rather than on race, religion, gender or ethnicity. “No longer from determined by social status or the color of your skin, no, we now have discrimination down to a science.” Gattaca is a space agency that is only open to those who are known as valids. Valids are children born after being created through genetic manipulation. Parents are able to select all of the traits for their child.

Vincent, the main character, was conceived as a “natural birth” or invalid because his parents wanted it that way, but their next child, Anton, was a valid. Vincent was never able to measure up to Anton. Vincent’s dream had always been to be a part of Gattaca and to travel into space. Vincent becomes a janitor at Gattaca, however, he never loses his dream of going to in to space, and thus takes steps several others have to obtain his goal.

Vincent decides to become a “de-generate,” or a “borrowed ladder” with the help of a DNA Broker. Through A DNA broker, Vincent finds Jerome who, although a valid, is a paraplegic. Vincent is able to adopt Jerome’s genetic identity and is accepted into Gattaca. Vincent is close to realizing his dream of space travel, when the director of Gattaca is murdered. Vincent must now be even more careful to conceal his invalid identity because an eyelash containing his true DNA was found in the lab where the murder occurred. Vincent is pursued by the investigator and his home is visited. The lead investigator turns out to be to be Anton, Vincent’s valid brother.

At the end of the movie, Vincent gets cleared to travel to space in spite of not passing the DNA test. The physician conducting the test allows Vincent through after stating that he had a “natural birth” son. Perhaps the physician is in fact Vincent’s father.

In comparing the rights of those in the movie, the valids and invalids, to the 4th, 5th, and 14th Constitutional amendments,...