gattaca: negative consequences
Throughout Niccol’s film Gattaca, the audience is subject to pessimistic views about the possible future society stemming from his fears of what advancements in genetic science in the “not-too-distant future” may bring. Niccol shows this with his ideas about “genoism”; a new form of discriminate based on ones genetic make up, and also his ideas about the segregation of society, based on the genetic superiority (“valids”) or inferiority (“in-valids”) of an individual. He also explores the idea that complete faith in a system like the one Gattaca promotes, could be detrimental to any society in that “the best test score in the world wasn’t going to matter unless (you) had the blood test to go with it”.
Through the manipulation of elements of the human species, society aimed to rid themselves of imperfections such as susceptibility to drug and alcohol addictions, violence and also to eliminate discrimination based on race, belief or the colour of skin just to name a few. Despite society’s apparent success, there was still a window left open for “genoism”. Niccol best describes the effect that genoism has on the society of Gattaca through Vincent’s narration during his flashbacks. These scenes showed Vincent being denied childcare due to his injury prone status because, “the insurance won’t cover (him)”. Despite his academic qualifications, Vincent was also knocked back on a job interview, which forced him to the conclusion that, “the best test score in the world wasn’t going to matter unless I had the blood test to go with it.” Niccol’s idea suggests that there is a threat of making discrimination easier if the exact time of death, susceptibility to illness and social disorders were known at the time of birth.
As a result of breakthroughs in genetic science, there is a very real possibility of splitting society into two main groups based on genoism. That is, society will be segregated so that the “valids” with their superior DNA are disassociated with the “in-valids” that are only fit to 'clean toilets'. Niccol demonstrates this idea through certain camera shots and contrasting between two events taking place simultaneously. While the “valids” sit in a lightly coloured room with a luxurious feel, listening to the six fingered pianist, the "in-valids" are being lined up in a dimly lit street being interrogated like criminals. The scene with the invalids is deliberately shot through barbed wire fencing to make the segregation clear. Niccol’s point is pushed even further when Eugene takes offence to a “Hoover” questioning him about his crippled appearance. This scene demonstrates that “valids” are expected to be treated with respect while the “in-valids” are expected to take what they are given. This idea poses a real threat to the human species, which may result in a segregated and unjust society.
Niccol then goes on to suggest that the system which determines who is valid or invalid is inaccurate and cannot determine the human condition. He does this through Vincent Freeman, Director Josef and also through Anton and inspector Hugo’s relationship. Niccol’s point is that the system is unable to determine what a human being is capable of given certain circumstances. The director who doesn’t have “a violent bone in (his) body”, is found to be guilty of murder. With the threat of a mission that is possible once every 70 years being cancelled, Director Josef is pushed to his limits and murders the mission director. The threat that Niccol proposes is that if society chooses to believe in a system with faults such as this, then we will be mislead.
Vincent Freeman is also used to display Niccol’s point of view in that Vincent is quite capable of fulfilling the job of a “valid”, despite his “in-valid” status. Due to his 99% heart probability failure, Vincent is deemed an “in-valid”. However, thanks to German, the DNA dealer, “he could go anywhere with (Jerome’s) helix tucked under his arm”. In fact, it is through the “in-valid” Vincent that Jerome is shown his full potential as a “valid”. Vincent became the navigator of the Cassini. A spacecraft whose mission was to observe Titan, one of Saturn’s moons. This mission was of paramount importance, and enough to murder for. Here Niccol is suggesting that due to faults in determining who is “valid” or “in-valid”, the best man for the job may only be chosen if he becomes a “borrowed ladder”.
Niccol further implies this through the relationship that exists between Anton, and inspector Hugo. Hugo is under the command of Anton; a younger less experienced detective who appears to have less natural detective instincts than his ‘subordinate’ assistant Hugo. Anton seems to hold the naive attitude that it would be impossible for an “in-valid” to have “suckered” an institute of superior “valids” at Gattaca for so long. Hugo on the other hand who is not limited by his faith in the system of Gattaca doesn’t seem to think that this idea is so far fetched.
While Hugo is dressed like a typical detective with his trench coat and broad rimmed hat, Anton has slick hair and a nice suit. This imagery is deliberately incorporated in the film to suggest that society puts its trust in appearance. That is to say that society trusts what they can see, which is the physical and now genetic appearance of a person. That is why society would rather have Vincent clean toilets, and see that Anton is always in charge of people like Hugo.
Niccol’s film Gattaca clearly shows that a society that manipulates elements of the human species can easily result in outcomes that we are not ready for. Society may find themselves under threat of segregating society on the basis of genoism which was shown to be inaccurate in the case of Vincent, Director Josef and inspector Hugo.