Name:_______________________________________________ Period:____
Genetics Unit: Gattaca
Answer Questions #1-10 while you watch the film:
1. What is the significance of the letters that are highlighted at the beginning credits of the movie? (Hint: they are the
same letters in the title of the movie)
2. “They used to say that a child conceived in love has a greater chance of….” What?
3. Why do you think Vincent’s father decided to name him “Vincent Anton” rather that “Anton”?
4. List two ways that the society portrayed in the movie routinely ‘reads’ a person’s genetic profile.
5. What major surgery did Vincent have to enhance his genetic “imperfections?”
6. List at least THREE preparations Vincent had to do everyday to pass as Jerome Morrow at GATTACA.
7. When Jerome (Vincent) and Irene go to a concert, what is unusual about the piano player?
8. Who does the detective leading the murder investigation turn out to be?
9. When Anton asks Vincent, “How are you doing this?” how does Vincent answer?
10. Why do you think Lamar’s son was a “big fan” of Vincent? (Hint: Lamar is the doctor who does the urine tests at
GATTACA)?
Answer Questions #11-13 after watching the film:
11. By reading their DNA, Vincent is predicted to live 30.2 years and Jerome “will practically live forever”. Is this true?
Explain your answer.
12. In the film, a person could have a potential romantic partner sequenced. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of
having this technology available to prospective mates.
13. Stem cell research is another ethical issue. Stem cells are cells from an early embryo that can become any type of cell
like a heart, lung, liver, or skin cell. The reason people are researching these cells are because you can actually grow
new tissues and organs to replace damaged ones. For instance, it may be possible to grow a new set of lungs for
someone dying of lung cancer. The ethical issue with this type of research is that in order to get this type of stem cells
you have to destroy an embryo so it will never grow into a person. Do you think this research should be done? Why or
why not?