13:08
1. What does Jerome (Vincent) place on the comb at his workstation? 4. Describe 3
preparations Vincent had to do everyday to pass as Jerome Morrow at GATTACA. In
each case explain why he had to do that.
2. What was “wrong” with Vincent?
17:10
3. What is Jerome’s (Vincent’s) life expectancy?
18:00
4. After Marie’s fertilized embryos are screened, how many healthy ones are left?
19:25
5. According to the geneticist, we have enough of this built in already. What is it?
20:50
6. What is Vincent’s and his brother’s favorite game?
7. What was Vincent’s career goal?
8. Why did he think he could never obtain the goal?
30:50
9. “After all there is no gene for …” what?
35:44
10. What color is Jerome’s medal? What significance if meant by this scene?
40:30
11. What is a “borrowed ladder” or “de-generate”?
41:20
12. What was left behind at the murder scene by the murderer?
53:55
13. The director claims that Gattaca is occasionally forced to accept candidates with
“minor shortcomings”, but nothing that would prevent them from working in
what field?
56:50
14. Why is it unlikely that Irene will travel into space?
1:06:05 15. When Jerome (Vincent) and Irene go to a concert, what is unusual about the
piano player?
1:18:40
16. What does Irene leave behind at the club where she and Jerome are dancing?
1:34:50
17. Who killed the mission director?
1:44:10
18. Why does Eugene think that he got the better end of the deal?
1:48:55
19. In what sport did Eugene receive his medal?
20. What was the world discriminating against in this movie?
21. What was the real Jerome’s handicap?
22. Think about the staircase in the movie. How is the staircase a SYMBOL of genetics?
23. Who killed the ex-director of GATTACA?
24. What happened to “Eugene” (the real Jerome) in the end?
A. Describing his society, Vincent says in the film:
“They used to say that a child conceived in love has a greater chance of happiness.
They don't say that any more.
We now have discrimination down to a science.”
How is the social reality portrayed by the film affected by this emphasis in genetics?
B. What are the positive and negative aspects of the world showed in the movie? List at
least two positive and 2 negative aspects.
C. What types of discrimination do we see in the movie? How does that compare to the
discrimination we see in today’s world?
D. How do you understand "genoism?"
E. What do you think happened to the legal structure to make this reality possible?
What human or civic rights have disappeared in the society we see in this film?
F. Think about this quote from James Watson -- Nobel Prize Winner and developer of the
Human Genome Project:
"We used to think our future was in the stars.
Now we know it is in our genes."
Think about this statement and discuss the use of the word “stars”. How was this
theme and quote portrayed in the film? Give literal examples as well as figurative
examples.
G. What does the movie GATTACA say about DNA determining a person’s potential?
Provide examples from the movie to support your answer.
Optional Essay Assignment:
/25
Using proper scientific literacy as well as referencing specific genetic (science) concepts
involved and the possible society impacts (good or bad) respond to the statement and question
below:
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
would have 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.
Your response must utilize critical and scientific thought of a high school graduate candidate. If
specific information is used from an outside source to support your personal view they must be
referenced (cited) properly using APA format.