School of Social Sciences and Education

GED104 Cluster – Science, Technology and Society

Instructions and Guide Questions for Film Analysis 1 (FA 1)

Name: ______________ Date: ____________

Section: ______________ Course: __________

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
      
BEFORE DO NOT
COMPLETING THIS REVIEW PLAGIARIZE!
ASSESSMENT, RESPOND TO THE ANSWER IN YOUR WORK
FOLLOW THE TYPE YOUR
PLEASE READ ALL OF REQUIREMENTS ESSAY BEFORE PLAGIARISM IS A
INSTRUCTIONS. ANSWERS WELL.
THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE TASK. FORM. SUBMITTING MAJOR OFFENSE
THOROUGHLY AND IT. THAT LEADS TO
CAREFULLY. EXPULSION.

Instructions: In a film analysis, you systematically evaluate a film’s effectiveness including

what it does well and what it does poorly. It can be used to discuss a science and technology
documentary film. You must review the film carefully and may need to look up terms or
concepts you are unfamiliar with or research related reading prior to writing your analysis.
Watch the film Gattaca found on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzG3I7nMEks.
Then, answer the following guide questions as concisely as possible.

Guide Questions:

1. If we were able to exclude the eccentric, the different, the misfits, and the weak, what
would happen to society?

A world without flaws does not exist, at some point many would have flaws whether it could be
societal, or maybe biology itself. We cannot control such thing. If so and then I do think that
society would do its best to be always perfect, such that envy or ego would actually prevent them
from living a normal life. I do think its very unethical to exclude them, after all we are all
humans.

2. Compare Jerome and Vincent. What were their strengths and their weaknesses? In what
ways were they the mirror image of each other?

I realized that both characters had the will to succeed such careers. I do think both had setbacks
in life that had them struggling. But for better or worse both were determined and committed,
and I do think that this what makes them alike.
 3. Why is there such resistance to the new order imposed by this society, i.e., Vincent's
girlfriend - the test technician?

Obviously at some point people would resist on the very wrong system the world had given to
them, the fact that their future careers are determined only by their genes. What if the person is
persistent, even so that they could learn such thing. Moreover they realized overtime the
drawbacks and flaws of such system.

4. What do you think is wrong with the society portrayed in "Gattaca"?

It is such different form the world we live in, the fact that other people would be excluded is very
unethical in many ways. WE cannot be determined of who we are as a person only by the
existence of our genes. We are humans, we have flaws in our body that we cannot control.

5. Wouldn't parents want to ensure that their child were perfect and had the attributes of
physical attractiveness, intelligence, and athletic prowess to be able to do whatever he or
she wanted in life? If so, why is the society portrayed in this film so devoid of happiness,
vitality, and fun

Yes, a parent would want the best for their child. But how about the ones who cannot afford to
choose an embryo? Do you think labeling them as degenerates would make you feel happy? The
society is lacking such emotion because of this, there has been a lot of discrimination and
protests.

6. Some critiques have countered the vision of this film by saying that our strengths are
inextricably combined with our weaknesses. Do you agree with this?

One example is Vincent. He may have his weaknesses but because of this he needed to do his
best as long as he is still breathing, because that is who he is. I could say because of his
weakness, and became a fuel towards his perseverance and will to do better. I strongly agree to
this.

7. What limits should be placed on genetic engineering? Should it be allowed at all? Should
it be limited to the elimination of disease and physical imperfections? Why or why not?

I do think this type of genetic engineering an be very controversial if so and then it is available to
the world we live in now. But I do think that the elimination of disease and physical
imperfections is a nice idea to implement, but just like any inventions and idea it should be
heavily regulated.

8. Should we permit people to make human clones of themselves? What about someone
who cannot have a child? Should we permit people to make human clones of other
people?
Me personally it is weird to clone myself, why would I clone myself in the first place? But I do
think someone who does not have a child would be far a better idea rather than cloning oneself.

9. If you would permit human cloning, would the clones have all the rights of "natural"
people?

It is hard to answer the question, first of we have not yet invented a full clone machine. And
there is not enough data to back up my answer. But for the sake of the question I do think they
should be treated equal, if so and then they behave and act just like the original version of
themselves.

10. Did this society, with its rigid requirements of genetic perfection, foster the ethical value
of respect for the differences among people?

One should live normally, hence instead of doing such malpractices, the innovation should shift
towards a more ethical and relevant idea, rather than this. For me no.