Name: ______________________________________ Date: _______________ PERIOD: ________
Movie Questions: “GATTACA”
Objective: You will be watching and interpreting the movie “GATTACA” in order to address
the ethical significance and scientific importance of genetic engineering and medical
discrimination.
Activity: As you watch the movie “GATTACA,” respond to the questions below. Take any
additional notes you want because you will be writing a type 3 essay at the conclusion of the film.
Each movie question is worth 5 points, 25 points total for a classwork grade.
1) What are the reasons for Vincent wanting to change his identity?
2) What is it about Vincent’s genetic make-up that makes him potentially less qualified for
working at Gattaca, or to succeed in the important mission into space? Tell me at least 6 things
“wrong” with him.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
3) List at least 8 things Vincent does on a daily basis to accomplish this identity change.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
4) What viewpoints do you have about genetic engineering (cloning, altering genes, etc.) after
watching it?
5) 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.
Essay: Gattaca
Think about having the feeling of wanting to fulfill the dream of a lifetime, yet being denied
that chance because you are not deemed perfect enough by society’s standards. Is it right to even have
to think about these ethical issues? To be discriminated against because of your genetic make-up?
How would you feel if you wanted to do something that was really important to you, but someone told
you that you weren’t allowed to?
Answer the following 2 questions about the movie in a essay format. Use complete sentences
and supporting details from the movie for your responses. Each question should be answered in it’s
own paragraph, with at least 5-8 sentences per paragraph. The 2 questions are as follows:
1. Do you believe that sometime in the near future that you will be able to
―order‖ what your child will be like by altering the genetic code of the developing embryo, like the
people in Gattaca?
2. What type of problems do you see being alleviated and what type of problems do you see being
created by altering the genetic makeup of individuals?
3. If given the opportunity to correct all possible genetic problems before they actually start in a
developing embryo and are able to make the child be exactly what you want him/her to be like, would
you do so?
Why or why not?
MAKE SURE YOU……
1. Both questions (1&2 from above) are answered in detail (50)
2. At least 1 specific example from the movie is used in your response - underlined (30)
3. Beginning, middle and end - good intro and conclusion (multi-paragraph) (20)