Gattaca

I found the movie Gattaca very interesting. Not only was the idea that people could be discriminated because of the DNA they are born with, something, if it is natural, you have to live with it. In Gattaca it really doesn't matter if you have any other important talents or attributes what really matters is how your DNA results appear. While to whole idea of being able to "engineer" humans with certain DNA traits sounds fascinating, the idea that if your DNA is perfect you could be discriminated for it doesn't sound so promising. This is shown with the main character, Vincent Freeman. Being born with the DNA he has he is told that the probability of him developing a mental disorder is high, that he has a heart defect, his life expectancy is 30.2 years and is near sighted all because his birth was natural and not engineered unlike his brother. This in reality destroys any dream he was of making it to space. Unless he becomes someone else or a borrowed ladder, which is essentially becoming a 'valid' by borrowing their DNA. This is another interesting concept, asking us if taking samples of someones DNA and altering your appearance is all it really take to "become" this person. He buys this DNA from a man named Jerome, who is wheel-chair ridden after being hit by a car. Everyday Vincent must rid himself of his own cells by washing and scrubbing himself frequently and replace these with Jerome's. To get by screening Vincent also uses everything from hair, tissue, blood and urine samples from Jerome.  I found this movie to be quite thought provoking in terms of different kinds of discrimination within society while as well as teaching me about DNA, and how it shapes us.  It shows how Vincent's determination fights all the odds and he can eventually fulfill his dream.