GATTACA
Gattaca is the story of one man’s courage to achieve his dream.
Gattaca, written and directed by Andrew Niccol is a science fiction thriller set in the “not too distant future”.
Vincent Freeman is one of the last of the 'In-Valids', conceived in love rather than in a test tube. Upon his birth
a DNA test suggests he has a 99% chance of developing a heart defect and dying before he is 30. This
condemns him to a life lived in fear of early death, a life where he is a source of constant worry to his parents,
where schools bar him for being an insurance liability and where he is denied the chance to achieve his dream
— that of being a space pilot. His father
tells him "Son, the only time you're going
to see the inside of a space shuttle is if
What do you
you're cleaning it." Yet Vincent refuses to
think the
accept this brave new world, and seeks a
spiral
way to deny his genetic destiny. He strikes
staircase in
a deal with a crippled Valid, Jerome
Jerome’s
Morrow, and steals his genetic identity in
apartment
order to gain entry to Gattaca Aerospace.
represents?
The death of the Mission Director causes
Vincent to be cast as a suspect in the murder,
and threatens to unravel his elaborate deception
and ruin his dream. The twist is the fact that the
investigator is Vincent’s brother Anton. Include a
love interest who may discover Vincent’s secret and
you have a chilling science fiction thriller that causes viewers to question where our society is headed.
Short Answer Questions
1) Where does the title GATTACA come from?
2) What is the significance of Vincent and Jerome’s surnames?
3) What does the spiral staircase in Jerome’s apartment represent?
4) “They used to say that a child conceived in love has a greater chance of happiness. They
don’t say that anymore.”
What is the destiny of an “in-valid” in the world of Gattaca? List three problems the
discrimination of Gattaca causes for invalids?
5) Main Characters: Vincent Freeman, Jerome (Eugene) Morrow, Irene Cassini, Anton Freeman
Choose one of the main characters in Gattaca and create a detailed mind map about this
character. Include quotes and key scenes. Refer to the sample character mind map.
Crucial Character: Lets
Vincent go, despite
knowing that he is an
invalid in final scene
Helps Vincent
*by concealing his real identity
*reason is because Vincent gives
inspiration to Lamar’s genetically
imperfect son
DR
LAMAR
Works at Gattaca
*Medical
technician,
examines blood
test, urine, health
etc
*
Quotes: “I never did tell you about my
son, did I? He’s a big fan of yours.”
“Unfortunately, my sons not all they said
he would be. But then who knows what
he could do right?”
*is a Valid,
considered elite,
friendly towards
Vincent
Only seen in
scenes set in
Space station
Middle aged,
wears lab coat
GENETIC ENGINEERING RESEARCH TASK
“Consider God’s handiwork; who can straighten what He hath made crooked.” ~ Ecclesiastes
7:13
“I not only think that we will tamper with Mother Nature, I think Mother Nature wants us
to.” ~ William Gaylin
Niccol introduces the morality of scientific advancement with the two opening quotations
that question the right of man to interfere with nature or God’s creation. This is what makes
Gattaca particularly relevant to today as we live in an age where technology is advancing
rapidly. While the first quote is from the Christian Bible and argues against tampering with
God’s creation, the other by William Gaylin argues that nature was intended to be tampered
with. Niccol is using Gattaca to pose the question: Where does society draw the line?
Your task is to research genetic engineering and consider both the positive and negatives
outcomes of genetic engineering. Please answer the following research questions in detail.
You must reference where you get your information from:
Research Questions:
1) What is genetic engineering?
2) What are the benefits of genetic engineering?
3) What ethical and moral questions are raised by genetic engineering?
4) What is your opinion on genetic engineering?
5) What do you think is the film’s message about genetic engineering?
Helpful website on DNA: http://www.dnaftb.org/