ties and potential for excellence. This is shown through the accomplishments of the genetically inferior main character, Vincent. Vincent was naturally conceived and born, leaving flaws in his genetic code that could have been eliminated through engineering. Notwithstanding, he is able to outperform his genetically engineered colleagues in the Gattaca space program. The movie is primarily about the difficulties he faces because of discrimination that results from judging a persons worth based only on their genetic profiles. Many fear that this sort of discrimination could become a reality in our future. Legislation has already been passed to prevent discrimination based on genetic testing. In the movie this sort of legislation existed but was ignored. Obviously, the plot would have been much different if such legislation were adequately enforced. Eugenics is the name given by Francis Galton to a theory for improving humanity through "judicious matings... to give the more suitable races or strains of blood a better chance of prevailing speedily over the less suitable". However, this process for bettering society through biological improvement is an indirect method. Through advanced technology, the step of selective breeding could possibly be bypassed. With these technologies it may be possible to directly and dynamically manipulate genetic code. The change of this code is the direct cause of change in the genetic product: people. But what is the desired product? What kind of people do we want, and with what characteristics? These questions exemplify the ethical quandaries raised by these procedures. Worried critics point to the extreme application of eugenic ideas in Nazi Germany. Others are simply opposed to any tampering with nature by the inadequate hands of humankind. In the movies time period of the not too distant future, genetic engineering technology is far progressed from todays capabilities. The predicted abilities to eliminate...
