“Gattaca” and NOVA “Cracking Your Genetic Code” Response
1. During a scene in GATTACA, Vincent’s parents visited a doctor who specialized in child conception to select for
the best traits for his future brother. They hoped that his brother wouldhave the best possible chances for a
successful life. Some of the traits mentioned in GATTACA included intelligence, height and any possibility of
inheritable diseases.
If you decided to have a child one day and are given the opportunity to select for special traits, would you do so?
Explain why or why not.
2. What are the positive and negative aspects of the world showed in the movie? List at least two positive and 2
negative aspects.
3. What does the movie GATTACA say about DNA determining a person’s potential? Provide examples from the
movie to support your answer.
4. Describe 3 preparations Vincent had to do every day to pass as Jerome Morrow at GATTACA. In each case
explain why he had to do that.
5. List 3 examples of imagery or symbolism from the movie “Gattaca”
6. After viewing NOVA “Cracking your Genetic Code”, would you want to have your genome sequenced? Why or
why not?
7. Describe how the two films are related.
8. What are the possible positive and negative side effects of having the technology to sequence people’s genomes
quickly, and with reasonable cost?
“Gattaca” and NOVA “Cracking Your Genetic Code” Response
1. During a scene in GATTACA, Vincent’s parents visited a doctor who specialized in child conception to select for
the best traits for his future brother. They hoped that his brother wouldhave the best possible chances for a
successful life. Some of the traits mentioned in GATTACA included intelligence, height and any possibility of
inheritable diseases.
If you decided to have a child one day and are given the opportunity to select for special traits, would you do so?
Explain why or why not.
2. What are the positive and negative aspects of the world showed in the movie? List at least two positive and 2
negative aspects.
3. What does the movie GATTACA say about DNA determining a person’s potential? Provide examples from the
movie to support your answer.
4. Describe 3 preparations Vincent had to do every day to pass as Jerome Morrow at GATTACA. In each case
explain why he had to do that.
5. List 3 examples of imagery or symbolism from the movie “Gattaca”
6. After viewing NOVA “Cracking your Genetic Code”, would you want to have your genome sequenced? Why or
why not?
7. Describe how the two films are related.
8. What are the possible positive and negative side effects of having the technology to sequence people’s genomes
quickly, and with reasonable cost?
“Gattaca” and NOVA “Cracking Your Genetic Code” Response
1. During a scene in GATTACA, Vincent’s parents visited a doctor who specialized in child conception to select for
the best traits for his future brother. They hoped that his brother wouldhave the best possible chances for a
successful life. Some of the traits mentioned in GATTACA included intelligence, height and any possibility of
inheritable diseases.
If you decided to have a child one day and are given the opportunity to select for special traits, would you do so?
Explain why or why not.
2. What are the positive and negative aspects of the world showed in the movie? List at least two positive and 2
negative aspects.
3. What does the movie GATTACA say about DNA determining a person’s potential? Provide examples from the
movie to support your answer.
4. Describe 3 preparations Vincent had to do every day to pass as Jerome Morrow at GATTACA. In each case
explain why he had to do that.
5. List 3 examples of imagery or symbolism from the movie “Gattaca”
6. After viewing NOVA “Cracking your Genetic Code”, would you want to have your genome sequenced? Why or
why not?
7. Describe how the two films are related.
8. What are the possible positive and negative side effects of having the technology to sequence people’s genomes
quickly, and with reasonable cost?
Day 1 Summary
In a society where genetic engineering is the norm, Vincent Anton Freeman (Ethan Hawke) is born naturally, with
a heart disorder and a life expectancy of 30 years. He dreams of being an astronaut, but in order to be one, he needs
to be one of the genetically optimized members of society (valid).
In desperation, Vincent becomes a “borrowed ladder”. He purchases the identity of Jerome Morrow, a former
swimming star with an impeccable genetic profile. Jerome (Jude Law) is currently an alcoholic who broke his spinal
cord in a suicide attempt. Since the accident happened out of the country, and there is no record of it, Vincent can
assume his identity and gets a job at Gattaca Aerospace. So, Vincent becomes “Jerome”. After this point, Vincent
refers to the original Jerome as “Eugene”.
Day 1 Summary
In a society where genetic engineering is the norm, Vincent Anton Freeman (Ethan Hawke) is born naturally, with
a heart disorder and a life expectancy of 30 years. He dreams of being an astronaut, but in order to be one, he needs
to be one of the genetically optimized members of society (valid).
In desperation, Vincent becomes a “borrowed ladder”. He purchases the identity of Jerome Morrow, a former
swimming star with an impeccable genetic profile. Jerome (Jude Law) is currently an alcoholic who broke his spinal
cord in a suicide attempt. Since the accident happened out of the country, and there is no record of it, Vincent can
assume his identity and gets a job at Gattaca Aerospace. So, Vincent becomes “Jerome”. After this point, Vincent
refers to the original Jerome as “Eugene”.
Day 1 Summary
In a society where genetic engineering is the norm, Vincent Anton Freeman (Ethan Hawke) is born naturally, with
a heart disorder and a life expectancy of 30 years. He dreams of being an astronaut, but in order to be one, he needs
to be one of the genetically optimized members of society (valid).
In desperation, Vincent becomes a “borrowed ladder”. He purchases the identity of Jerome Morrow, a former
swimming star with an impeccable genetic profile. Jerome (Jude Law) is currently an alcoholic who broke his spinal
cord in a suicide attempt. Since the accident happened out of the country, and there is no record of it, Vincent can
assume his identity and gets a job at Gattaca Aerospace. So, Vincent becomes “Jerome”. After this point, Vincent
refers to the original Jerome as “Eugene”.
Day 1 Summary
In a society where genetic engineering is the norm, Vincent Anton Freeman (Ethan Hawke) is born naturally, with
a heart disorder and a life expectancy of 30 years. He dreams of being an astronaut, but in order to be one, he needs
to be one of the genetically optimized members of society (valid).
In desperation, Vincent becomes a “borrowed ladder”. He purchases the identity of Jerome Morrow, a former
swimming star with an impeccable genetic profile. Jerome (Jude Law) is currently an alcoholic who broke his spinal
cord in a suicide attempt. Since the accident happened out of the country, and there is no record of it, Vincent can
assume his identity and gets a job at Gattaca Aerospace. So, Vincent becomes “Jerome”. After this point, Vincent
refers to the original Jerome as “Eugene”.
Day 1 Summary
In a society where genetic engineering is the norm, Vincent Anton Freeman (Ethan Hawke) is born naturally, with
a heart disorder and a life expectancy of 30 years. He dreams of being an astronaut, but in order to be one, he needs
to be one of the genetically optimized members of society (valid).
In desperation, Vincent becomes a “borrowed ladder”. He purchases the identity of Jerome Morrow, a former
swimming star with an impeccable genetic profile. Jerome (Jude Law) is currently an alcoholic who broke his spinal
cord in a suicide attempt. Since the accident happened out of the country, and there is no record of it, Vincent can
assume his identity and gets a job at Gattaca Aerospace. So, Vincent becomes “Jerome”. After this point, Vincent
refers to the original Jerome as “Eugene”.
Day 1 Summary
In a society where genetic engineering is the norm, Vincent Anton Freeman (Ethan Hawke) is born naturally, with
a heart disorder and a life expectancy of 30 years. He dreams of being an astronaut, but in order to be one, he needs
to be one of the genetically optimized members of society (valid).
In desperation, Vincent becomes a “borrowed ladder”. He purchases the identity of Jerome Morrow, a former
swimming star with an impeccable genetic profile. Jerome (Jude Law) is currently an alcoholic who broke his spinal
cord in a suicide attempt. Since the accident happened out of the country, and there is no record of it, Vincent can
assume his identity and gets a job at Gattaca Aerospace. So, Vincent becomes “Jerome”. After this point, Vincent
refers to the original Jerome as “Eugene”.