Gattaca

Today we watched Gattaca in periods 2, 3, and 4.

Everyone received the written task and assessment (blue booklet). Also, students were provided with graphic organizers to support their essay (question 1).

Homework for tonight: work on question #1 (choose a position/argument, brainstorm ideas, build your evidence to support your thesis, start working on a rough copy... all in Google Docs)

Students will have 2 periods tomorrow to work on their written responses and the expectation is that all writing will be completed in a rough copy for Monday. On Monday we will edit and revise as well as self and peer assess. The due date for the final copies of the Gattaca Written tasks is on Tuesday, November 17.

Homework for Friday &weekend: have all rough copies of written tasks completed in google docs 

Gattaca Journal Questions

In Google Docs answer the following question. Your answer should be in complete sentences and paragraphs. Please type your answers, double space, and use 12 pt font.

1)   The technology to manipulate DNA in the way portrayed in the movie GATTACA is not yet available, but might be one day.  Write an essay describing whether or not you think that the technology portrayed in the movie should be used the way it was in the movie.  Do you think scientists should manipulate the DNA so parents could choose their children’s traits?  Should they be able to choose all the traits or only those that may shorten the life of the child?  Who should decide?  Should there be laws to enforce when and how genetic engineering should be used?

In the same Google Doc, that you answered the previous question, answer one of the following five discussion questions.  Make sure you indicate which questions you are answering.  Your answer should be in complete sentences and paragraphs. Please type your answers, double space, and use 12 pt font.

2)   During a scene in GATTACA, Vincent’s parents visited a doctor who specialized in child conception to select 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 selected seem like a good decision, while others seem to cross „the line‟. List some of the traits that were manipulated for Anton, Vincent’s brother and identify if you think each one is a trait that should be pre-selected before birth or is a trait that should be left to chance.  What criteria did you use to decide which traits were acceptable to change and which ones were not?  Whose decision should this be?  Should there be laws about which traits could be manipulated and which should be left alone?  Where should those laws draw the line?

3)   One of the first questions asked by the geneticist to Vincent’s parents was to choose the sex of their baby.  Molecular biologists have developed a technique that enables parents to select the sex of their future child.  This technique simply separates the X carrying sperm from the Y carrying sperm and inseminating females with the preferred sex chromosomes.  This procedure is currently banned except for medical reasons (potential parents with sex-linked diseases may choose to have a girl, avoiding the possibility of having a boy with hemophilia, for example).  Should sex selection for medical and non-medical reasons be available?  What do you think are some of the implications of this technique?

4)   During the gala party scene in GATTACA, a woman submits a saliva sample from a recent kiss to screen her potential boyfriend/husband’s DNA.  Is she violating his rights by doing this without his knowledge?  Is this in any way similar to performing a background check?  How much would a DNA screen reveal about someone’s personality and intelligence.

5)   How does the discrimination (called genoism) Vincent faces in the film GATTACA similar to contemporary racism or classism?  Were their laws against genoism in the film?  Did they keep discrimination on the basis of genetics from happening?  How does that compare to current laws against racism?

6)   In the film GATTACA, Vincent fails to meet the genetic requirements for being a successful pilot at GATTACA. When Vincent is born, his genetic profile is lifted from his foot. He will die at 30, has poor eyesight and a weak heart. As an "Invalid," Vincent is eligible only for manual labor. Why waste education on an early death? So Vincent cleans the floors at the Gattaca Corporation with no hope of realizing his dream of riding corporate rockets to distant planets.   Yet, later in the movie, the program director describes “Jerome” as “one of our best”.  Likewise, the real Jerome has an excellent genetic profile yet fails to lead a successful life.  Does this support the idea that genetically determining an individual’s traits means that you can insure success?  Why or why not?

In the same Google Doc, answer one of the following choices related to question 7 discussion questions.  Make sure you indicate which questions you are answering.  Your answer should be in complete sentences and paragraphs. Please type your answers, double space, and use 12 pt font.

7)   In the film GATTACA Vincent’s parents are told that he will not be allowed to go to school with other children because the school cannot afford the insurance rates to cover an invalid child. Knowledge of one’s genetic profile could profoundly affect the price of insurance.  Insurance companies work on a risk assessment basis, where individuals with a greater potential for developing health complications are charged more than individuals who are deemed healthy.  For example, if you smoke you are charged more).  Actuarialists look at statistics to determine how much their clients should be charged.  With current advancements in genetic testing, there is much potential to discriminate those with “bad genes”.  It is quite possible that individuals classified as high risk individuals may be denied the opportunity to purchase insurance.  However, insurance companies must operate as a business, looking out for themselves and their client’s best interests.

A)                You are representing an individual who has obtained a genetic screen and would like to purchase some insurance.  Results show that you are at an extremely high risk for developing cancer and hypertension.  However, you are currently a healthy individual who does not smoke and exercises on a regular basis.  Explain why you should be given the opportunity to purchase insurance at a reasonable price.

B)                 You are representing an insurance company.  A potential client approached your company about the possibility of purchasing insurance.  After reviewing her file, including a gene scan, you realize that she falls into a high-risk category.  Explain to her why you need to charge her considerably more for insurance.

C)                 Do you think insurance companies should have the right to genetically screen their clients and use that information to decide upon their insurance rates?  Why or why not?