Labelling Human and Genetic Modification, What I learned from Gattaca, 1997.

I just finished watching Gattaca, 1997, a dystopian sci-fi movie by Andrew Niccol. it was one of the few movies that kinda impress me, and then I came across this article that says NASA called it one of the most plausible movies... for one reason, genetic modification.

Parent deciding what they want their kid to become

In the movies, people were generally categorized into two groups, the valid, which were genetically modified to have more superior features, such as disease-free, higher intelligence, and stronger physical capability; and the in-valid who were born naturally, which made them more susceptible to diseases and defect. The valid will have more privileges in life, being the higher echelons, and have access to better jobs and status than the in-valid, who are only good for menial jobs.

In the movie, the main guy, Vincent, played by Ethan Hawke is an in-valid who dreamed of becoming of traveling into space (or he just wanted to leave the planet) was denied, and he has to assume the identity of a paraplegic to accomplish his goal, to leave the planet. 

This setting is also similar to the anime, Gundam SEED, and its sequel Gundam SEED Destiny. 

Human Labelling 

Few things that ran through my thought as I see the movie, especially the labeling part. At first, I just see it like any other movie, a dystopian sci-fi with a theme, and then I realize it was closer to me than I thought. OMG! 😂 

I came from a place where labeling is an actual thing, compelled by the constitution. In my place, we were categorized into the non-b*** and b***, it's actually stated in our IDs, and we will be treated differently. For instance, government funding, quota to enter public higher institutions, work, government positions, ministerial roles, compulsory housing discount, etc. I don't see it as a fair system but it was a good political vehicle, for politicians to make their way to the top. It's traditionally one of the cards that will be played by the politicians in every election. I practically lived in a setting similar to the setting in that movie, 😂, but aren't we all the same, dealing with different labeling each day, just that maybe we have one more label to deal with.

Genetic Modification 

As for genetic modification, NASA called Gattaca plausible for a reason. The science that drives the movie plot already is possible at that time or expected to be available in the near future. Aren't we've been practicing it already, all the way from back then to now, in the year 2020. We've been using it on crops, insects, animals, for the purpose such as yielding food production, halting the reproduction of mosquitos, etc. All that's left is using it on humans, to produce better humans. 

And this is why I have this firm belief that art is an important aspect of our life. In Dead Poet Society, 1989, there is this quote that I lived by:

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for."

I believe that while technology is the manifestation of science, art is the manifestation of thought. What could be more dangerous than giving a gun that's infused with state-of-the-art technology, to a person with no compassion or the ability to think of what's right and what's wrong?