Gattaca Genetic Engineering

816 Words4 Pages
“The most horrifying consequence of scientific and technological advancement is that the average citizen would face a significant loss of privacy and personal freedom.” Discuss. Life is but a journey of advancement. Humankind has evolved drastically since the beginning of time, new eras have bought with it newly profound knowledge. Society has evolved from periods of utilizing sticks and stones to present flashy gadgets and technology. As the years progress, we have begun to understand the functioning of our bodies and the world in which we live. Discoveries have been made in the fields of science and technology, eradicating many of the previous hardships of life. With this being said, all this advancement is accompanied by a certain degree…show more content…
Genes are an intangible asset in which an individual has no control over. In recent years, scientists have acquired the knowledge to partake in genetic screening, a newly discovered practise which is the epitome of futuristic science. This practise has the power to reshape the world into one which has ‘discrimination down to a science’. This issue is one which is explored in the insightful, thought provoking film Gattaca. The film brings to light a glimpse of a future in which genetic engineering is given free reign, resulting in a highly undesirable world for those who posses undesirable genes. In the present day, the federally funded ‘Human Genome Project’ strives to make genetic screening in the workplace readily available to employers. This means that in the not to distant future employers will choose employees in regards to their genetic make-up, so as to reduce the incidence of occupational disease, which is nothing but ‘Genoism’. This will result in the breach of civil rights due to judgment upon a fixed characteristic, DNA, which is beyond human…show more content…
A wide range of tech savvy devices and gadgets have been invented for different purposes. Whilst each serves a particular purpose, they have the tendency to be misused and of abuse to people. Closed-Circuit television CCTV is an invention which partakes in 24 hour surveillance of particular areas, the every move of civilians in range is recorded. There are no current laws on the use of CCTV cameras, hence why it is often an invasion of privacy against individual human rights. A survey conducted illustrated that the lack of knowledge as to who had access to CCTV footage was an unsettling thought for the general public. The concept of ‘Big Brother’ depicted in Geroge Orwells futuristic novel 1984 is prevalent within society. The advancements of technology have made it easier for people to pry and spy on innocent targets. An investigation by the Detroit Free Press unearthed chilling information, some unnamed police officers utilised footage available to them for personal abuse purposes. Voyerism is also a growing concern due to the enhancement of intrusive technological
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