Is science all that good?
Genetic engineering
genetic engineering noun
The science of changing the structure of the genes of a living thing in order to make it healthier or
stronger or more useful to humans
(Definition of genetic engineering noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
Humans have throughout history had the urge to understand and find
knowledge about everything. One way to find out about the human race is by
examine her genes. But scientific knowledge can easily be abused.
We are going to look at science with focus on genetic engineering. The planning
is made out so you get a chance to talk, listen, read and write. We start by
discussing the subject, and then we watch the film Gattaca. Next lesson you will
answer questions about the film in writing and read a text on the subject.
1
TALKING
1. What is genetic engineering?
2. What are people worried about who oppose genetic engineering?
3. Today it is not legal to manipulate human cells. Discuss pros and
cons with scientific progress in the field of genetic engineering.
5 positive things:
5 negative things:
4. If, in the future, parents might be able to choose the diseases that
they didn’t want their children to inherit. Parents might also then be
able to choose hair, skin, and eye colour. What traits do you think
should be “off limits”? What should parents not be allowed to
choose or tamper with?
5. Do you worry about eating GM (genetically modified) food?
6. Scientists can genetically engineer fruit to contain vaccines at a
very low cost. Is this a good idea?
7. What is cloning? What do you think about it?
8. Do you think genetic engineering is playing God and that we
should leave life as it was created?
9. What do you think of the idea of genetically engineering new
bodily organs to replace yours when you are old?
10. Should genetic engineering go ahead to eliminate human flaws,
such as violence, jealousy, hate, etc?
2
LISTENING
- watch the film Gattaca
Answer the following questions as you watch. The notes you make today
will help you next week when you discuss the film in writing.
1) What are the names of the three main characters?
2) What is the name of the mother?
3) Who says “Remember, it’s still you, simply the best of
you.”?
4) What is there no gene for according to Vincent?
5) What colour is Jerome’s medal?
6) What questions are Vincent/Jerome asked in the job
interview?
7) What is the name of the planet Jerome asks Vincent about at
dinner?
8) What colour is Irene’s dress at the romantic dinner?
9) Why does the young police officer cover for Vincent?
10)Why does the doctor help Vincent/Jerome?
3
WRITING
Answer the following questions in writing. Hand in on Elits.
1. What was Vincent’s career goal?
2. Why did he think he could never obtain the goal?
3. How did they make Vincent taller?
4. Who was the young police officer and how did Vincent (Jerome)
know him?
5. Describe the different attitudes Irene and Vincent have about their
genetic ‘imperfections’.
6. What are the positive and negative aspects of the Gattaca world?
7. What is a “god-child”?
8. What are "valids" and "in-valids" in the story? Explain in definition.
9. Think about the staircase in the apartment. How is the staircase a
SYMBOL of genetics?
10. Wouldn't every parent want to ensure that their child was perfect
and had the attributes of physical attractiveness, intelligence and
athletic prowess to be able to do whatever he or she wanted in
life? If so, why is the society portrayed in this film so devoid of
happiness, vitality and fun? The fertility doctor tells Vincent’s parents
“Remember, it’s still you, simply the best of you.” What does he
mean?
11. Is it true that you are more than the sum of your genes?
12. In one scene, Vincent states that “there is no gene for fate.” What
does this phrase mean?
4
13. Much of this film deals with the human desire to control fate, versus
the willingness to let fate run its course. List some examples of
moments in the film where characters try to control their destiny,
and moments where they accept fate.
14. “The new underclass is no longer determined by social class or the
colour of our skin. We now have discrimination down to a science.”
Explain the meaning of this quote from the movie.
5
READING
Listen to Nina Simone’s Sinner man by clicking on the picture while you
watch the picture for a little bit.
This painting is made by the surrealist painter René Magritte from Belgium.
It is said he was healthy, wealthy and happily married, no wonder his
paintings were so twisted. His paintings are composed to confuse and
disorientate.
René Margritte was alive and productive during the Second World War.
He was a member of the communist party in Belgium for 18 months.
Another fact that has had visible effect his art is that he was working with
6
advertisements in his early life and had an agency with his brother. But
what by far has mostly influenced Magritte’s life and work was the suicide
committed by his mother when Magritte was but 13 years old.1
The bowler-hatted men in Golconda are shown as if they were raining, or
ascending. They all look more or less exactly the same.
15) “Our secret desire,” wrote René Magritte, “is for a change in the order
of things.” Do you think any of the characters in the film would agree with
this quote? Who? Why?
16) What does the painting say to you?
17) Are there any connections between the film Gattaca and the
painting?
Hand in your answers on Elits.
GOOD LUCK!
1
http://www.all-art.org/art_20th_century/magritte1.html 2011-09-13
7