Gattaca (1997), Essay Example

In Gattaca, computers can predict an individual’s expected lifespan and their expected cause of death based on their DNA sequence alone. This is somewhat realistic today. While we cannot know for certain the precise day that someone will die in addition to their cause of death, genomics gives us an understanding of the general health of an individual in addition to knowledge regarding their predisposition for certain illnesses. Because genetic and environmental factors interact in a complex manner, we cannot be completely certain of how an individual will die, but we do have an enhanced knowledge of the diseases that people are at risk for developing. This helps modern medical professional personalize pharmaceutical treatments in addition to being able to provide their patients with information regarding lifestyle changes that may prevent a potentially life-threatening illness from manifesting.

Today, there are many genetic services available that could help people gain a greater understanding of their genetic makeup, which could potentially contribute to a greater understanding of disease risk. This is controversial knowledge because many people believe that health insurance companies may use this information against patients when deciding who should be insured and for what price. While many scientific researchers conduct these studies regularly to determine relationships between genes, gene modifications, and diseases, there are many commercially available DNA tests that consumers can purchase to explore their own genetics. One such kit is available from ancestry.com, which uses DNA from saliva to help consumers understand their ancestral background based on their DNA variants. While this process doesn’t help people understand aspects regarding their lifespan and how they will die, it provides insight into how this type of technology will evolve. It is possible that DNA analysis will develop to the point where such analysis is possible, although a lot of technological development is needed for this to be the case.

Works Cited

Niccol A. Gattaca. 1997. Web. 26 April 2015.