GATTACA Activity
Name
As you watch the movie GATTACA, answer the questions below. Next to each question
number is the approximate time in the movie.
6:17
1. What does Jerome (Vincent) place on the comb at his workstation?
9:20
2.
“They used to say that a child conceived in love has a greater chance of…” what?
10:10
3.
What is Jerome’s (Vincent’s) life expectancy?
12:45
4.
Why was Vincent’s brother considered worthy of his father’s name, Anton?
13:50
5.
What is Vincent’s and his brother’s favorite game?
15:50
6.
Vincent realizes that it doesn’t matter how much he lies on his resume because his real
resume lies where?
16:15
7.
What is the word that means discriminating against people because of their
genetic profile?
23:50
8.
“When a member of the elite falls on hard times, their genetic identity becomes a
valuable commodity for...” who?
26:30
9.
What is the issue of difference of height between Vincent and Jerome? What does Vincent
need to do?
33:30
10.
What is a “borrowed ladder” or “de-generate”?
34:20
11.
What does Jerome (Vincent) accidentally leave behind at the murder scene?
44:22
12.
What device does Jerome (Vincent) slip on before he goes on the treadmill at the gym?
50:20
13.
Irene offers Jerome something to test genetically and says “if you’re still interested, let me
know”. What did she give him?
59:20
14.
When Jerome (Vincent) and Irene go to a concert, what is unusual about
the piano player?
1:11:40
15.
What does Irene leave behind at the club where she and Jerome are dancing?
1:27:50
16.
Who killed the mission director?
1:29:20
17.
Who does the detective leading the murder investigation turn out to be?
1:37:10
18.
Why does Eugene think that he got the better end of the deal?
1:48:55
19.
During the random urine test before boarding the mission, the doctor does what for Vincent?
GATTACA Discussion Questions
“There is no gene for the human spirit…”
1. 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.
If you decided to have a child one day and are given the opportunity to select for special traits,
would you do so? Explain why or why not.
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2. What are positive and negative aspects of the world showed in the movie? List at least two
positive and 2 negative aspects.
Positive
Negative
3. How do people in GATTACA evaluate each other as potential love interests or coworkers? Use
examples to support your answer.
4. Describe 3 preparations (changes) Vincent had to make everyday to pass as Jerome Morrow at
GATTACA. In each case, explain why he had to do that.
Vincent’s Changes
Reasoning
5. Genetic screening for some diseases already exists. For example, children are tested for a disorder called PKU at
birth. Do you think, in the future, that newborns should be tested for other traits (alcoholism, heart problems,
intelligence, etc.)? If so, who has the right to your genetic information – do employers, spouses, or insurance
companies have the right to your profile? What are some pros and cons of yes/no? Defend your position.