The movie Gattacal is situated in the future.

In that time, hereditary engineering

of humans is usual. Gattacal is a world full of technology where in the life of a child can
be edited before they are even born. There are tons of ethical issues throughout the
movie. One of them is about the hereditary or genetic engineering. After the birth of the
first born child who is “invalid”, the parents choose to genetically engineer their next
child. This issue deals with the ability to act contrary to our biological predispositions.
According to Kant, such work would be unethical because people are merely thinking of
the results of having an ideal or perfect child and their own joy. In addition, the individual
rights of the child were disregarded. This ethic will give tons of advantages for a child
because he/she will live normally. For the bad side, if the child has illnesses and
problems regarding his/her body, he/she will suffer. Based on Aristotelian ethics, this act
is also unethical because even if someone is happy or contented about himself/herself,
all personal experiences are being ignored because he/she is born perfect and flawless.
This is also forbidden by the religious ethics because you are making changes to the
will of God. These ethics are beneficial because it deals with the contentment of one
person and they will be able to have such experiences that will help them improve. For
me, these laws and ethics are applicable for present and future states of the world
because it focuses on being normal and that is how we should be. These laws will help
us be a better person by letting us feel to be a normal person.

Another ethical issue is consent. In the movie, when you want to apply for a job
they would normally base on your previous profession even if you are capable enough
for the job. The interviewer often gets a sample of your urine without telling you why for
them to test it if you are “valid” or not. They could also take your DNA from a handshake
and even in your seat. With this, the interviewer is not getting your consent for such
doing. As stated by Nuremberg Code, doctors and scientists should ask permission
from a person before they test their DNA. The code states that “The voluntary consent
of the human subject is totally important”. This rule is important because this kind of
matter is confidential. However, you can use that act to manipulate one’s DNA for you to
be able to find their capabilities. Nevertheless, this rule will be absolutely necessary for
the present and future time.
 Inequality and discrimination is also an ethical issue in the movie. There is this
scene where Vincent explains how his only option for job is a garbage man while other
people work at his dream job. As specified by Kant, this is unethical because it opposes
to the categorical imperative which states that people should treat each other equally.
Also, if you refuse to accept such person because he/she is “invalid”, then you have to
reject everyone who is not “perfect”. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article
7) states that “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination in
violation of this declaration and against any incitement to such”. The said law is
beneficial because it relieves the unjust treatment or the ability to discern what is of high
quality and not that is given to the citizens. On the other hand, if there will be
discrimination, you can reject people who are not capable of reaching your standards
because of some factors like health, etc. For me, this law should retain in our
community because even if you are “invalid”, you can still have the skills to do a specific
job that you like and that complication won’t affect in your performance.

Throughout the movie, the central ethical issue is about the judgment of every
individual. The characters are being judge based on their genetic code and not their
own capabilities and skills. Through the enhancement of technologies, there will always
be a good and bad side. You can notice how the growth of technology changes our
normal life. These enhancements will make our world almost perfect. However, it is not
necessary to have a perfect world. Yes, it is beneficial, but the drawbacks are much
more painful and hard to manipulate.

In my opinion, genetic engineering is unnecessary because we can totally live a

normal life without it. According to the article of Hui Yang, “such act is an extremely
irresponsible behavior that violated the ethical consensus of scientists all over the world.
He also stated that the study lack not only on medical ethics but also of the requisite
understanding of genetics”. Because of this, some experiments would fail. How can you
risk your child’s life just for him/her to be perfect? I will always prefer to the natural way
of living. Even if you have imperfections, you are still capable of doing something and it
does not make you a less of a person. You will always have people who will accept you
despite all those imperfections. Also, you will experience many things, success and
failures, which will surely help you grow.

In Layman’s term, the word “degenerate” means having or become less

specialized from an ancestral or former state. In connection to the movie, the word de-
gene-rate means being differentiated by other people. For me, all of us should not
recognize a distinction to other people because we are all equal. Even if you are this
and that, it does not mean that I am more capable than you. We should always think
better solutions for our nation rather than degrading one another. It is beneficial to
appreciate one’s potential rather than focusing on his/her flaws and weaknesses.