GATTACA Reflection Questions: Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper
1. The film starts with two quotes that are 180 degrees apart. Here they are:
"Consider God's handiwork; who can straighten what He hath made crooked?" – Ecclesiastes 7:13
(The Bible)
"I not only think that we will tamper with Mother Nature, I think Mother wants us to." - Willard Gaylin
(American Psychiatrist)
Explain the significance of these two quotes as they relate to this film.
2. When Vincent was born and the DNA from his blood was analyzed, the nurse indicated the probability of a
variety of things, (all bad) that would happen to Vincent. What things did Vincent have to overcome?
3. What was different about how Vincent’s brother came into being? What was the significance of his being
named “Anton”?
4. Why do you think the writer/director chose the name “GATTACA” for this film, and for the place where
Vincent worked?
5. In the society of the future, people were classified as being “valid” or “invalid”. Look up the real definitions
of these words in the dictionary and comment how these words have been applied to members of society in the
film. Do we have anything that resembles such labeling of people today? Explain.
Note the dagger
symbol here. In
classifying living
things, a dagger next
to an animal’s name
implies extinction.
Note that IN-VALIDS
are not even given a
name.
Note the symbol for infinity here.
This implies the “infinite”
potential that valids have.
???????????
6. There were a variety of “valids” that were supposedly born superior, yet still had flaws. For each “valid”
character pictured below, explain their shortcomings.
Anton
Irene
Jerome
Director
7. What was the purpose of the kiosk Irene went to with Vincent’s hair? What were other people doing there?
Would you use such a service if it was available?
8. Discuss at least FOUR preparations Vincent had to do every day to pass as Jerome Morrow at GATTACA.
In each case, explain WHY he had to do each preparation.
9. VINCENT: "For one reason or another, when a member of the elite falls on hard times, their genetic identity
becomes a valid commodity for the unscrupulous." What happened in this film to demonstrate what Vincent
was talking about?
10. What was ironic about the pianist in the film?
11. Why do you think Lamar’s son was a “big fan” of Vincent? (Lamar was the doctor)
12. Discuss the significance of the structure of the STAIRCASE in the home Vincent shared with Jerome in
terms of the theme of this film.
13. In one scene, Vincent states that “there is no gene for fate.” What does this phrase mean to you? 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. Would you consider this type of life to be possible in the future? How would your life be different than it is
today? Think about dating, having children, employment, pre-diagnosis of disease, and date of death.
15. Most people, in general, want scientists to find the cures for diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis,
Alzheimer’s disease, etc. What if scientists said that the easiest way to eliminate disease was with prevention
rather than a cure? Wouldn’t it seem a reasonable request to prevent diseases from occurring, rather than trying
to cure a person already inflicted with a disease? Do you support this idea? Why or why not?
16. In the future, parents might be able to choose the diseases that they didn’t want their children to inherit. In
addition, they might be able to choose hair, skin, and eye color. What traits do you think should be “off limits”?
Is there anything parents should not be allowed to tamper with?
17. “It is said that with great power comes great responsibility.” Apart from being a great quote from the
movie Spiderman, how does this sentiment apply to our knowledge of genetics and how we use that
knowledge?
18. Using examples from the film and perhaps you own experiences, explain what the following statement
means to you. “There is no gene for the human spirit”
19. What parts of this film do you think were completely fictional (as of right now)? What parts were true in
terms of what we can do now?