1. The document provides questions about the science fiction film GATTACA that require answers in complete sentences using knowledge about DNA and genetics. It explores themes of genetic engineering and how genes may or may not determine success. 2. The questions probe details of the film's plot including the meaning of the title GATTACA, references to DNA structure, reasons for the main character undergoing leg surgery, debates over genetic engineering, and examples of scientific inaccuracies in how genetics and genetic testing were portrayed. 3. The document aims to engage critical thinking about both the science fiction concepts in the movie and real-world issues raised by advancing biotechnologies like genetic engineering.

1. Extra Credit: 20 pts
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GATTACA Movie Questions
Introduction
GATTACA is a science fiction movie about
a future in which genetic technology
determines
your success or failure. Using what you’ve learned
about DNAand genetics from class,
answer the questions below. The questions must be
answered in whole. Please use
complete sentences to fully answer the question.
Movie Questions
1. The title “GATTACA” is composed entirely of
the letters found in which type of
biological macromolecule? Describe how these“letters”

2. are arranged in
the molecule.
2. What biological structure does the winding stairs in
Jerome’s apartment resemble?
What do we call this arrangement? What
components of the molecule are
represented by the “steps”? What components
are represented by the rails?
3. The FBI agents are called “Hoovers,” a
reference to legendary top G-man J. Edgar
Hoover, but also a clever reference to a vacuum
cleaner brand. There are numerous
shotsof vacuums being used to gather hair, dead
skin cells, and nails. What are these
materials being collected? How would thesematerials be
analyzed?
4. The surgery that Vincent undergoes to increase
his height is called the Ilizarov
procedure, named after the Russian doctor who
invented it 40 years ago to treat

3. dwarfism. This painful operation adds length by
allowing new bone to growin the
gap left by gradually separatingends of the broken
bone. The patient’s shinbones
are cut in two, a brace is applied and metal
pins would pull apartthe ones a
millimeter a day. Risks include feet permanently
turned at odd angles, twisted legs,
and weakened bones that break again and again.
Why is Vincent undergoing this
procedure? How does it relate to his designation
as an “invalid”?How is the
connotation of the word “invalid” in this movie
different from the current
connotation?
5. When GATTACA was first released, as part of
the marketing campaign therewere
advertisements for people to call up and have their
children genetically engineered.
Thousands of people actually called the phone
number, believing the advertisement
to be true. Do you thinkscientists should be
working on genetic engineering? Why?
Note: technology has advanced sincethis movie
cameout. We currently have the
capabilities to do somelevel engineering of
gametes. This debate is no longer
science fiction, its reality.
6. The film’s working title was “The Eighth Day,”
an allusion to the days of creation
described in the Bible’s book of Genesis. In the
bibleGod created the earthfrom

4. nothing in six days and rested on the seventh.
Why do you think, The Eighth Day,
was considered as a title?Why do you thinkit
was rejected?
7. The beginning of the movie has a quote
from Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament,
“Consider God’s handiwork, who can straighten what
He hath made crooked”. If we
can choose the characteristics of our children in
the future, then should we? Why or
why not? Which characteristics would be OK to
choose? Which would not? Who
would decide and how?
8. The real Jerome is expected to be perfect
because of his “superior” genes. Is this
superiority a blessing or a curse for him
and why?
9. The Mission Director at GATTACA says, “No
one exceeds their (genetic) potential.”
Do you agree? Did genes predict Vincent’s success
(or failure)? What else might
affect someone’s potential? What is the
movie’s definition of a “de-generate”?
10. The piano player in the concert scene is

5. playing a musical piece that can only be
played by a person with 6 fingers on each
hand. How feasible would this
characteristic be to genetically engineer?
11. In movie, what do you thinkwas scientifically
feasible today? What do you thinkwill
be feasible in the future? After you answer
this below to see what someof the
science the movie got wrong.
Bad Science in GATTACA
• Vincent tells Irenethat he’s already 10000 heartbeats
beyond his expected lifespan. No
doubt he means somemuch higher number;
the human heartbeatsabout 90000 times
a day!
• Healthy individuals do not shed nucleated cells into
their urine, so DNAcannot usually
be obtained from it. If you pee out nucleated cells,
then go to the hospital!
• The so-called “electric” cars have tailpipes which
produced exhaust.
• Here are somefamous people who may have not
been born if “genetically inferior”

6. children were discarded in the past: Abraham Lincoln
(Marfan’s syndrome), Emily
Dickenson (Manic Depression), Vincent van Gogh
(Epilepsy), Albert Einstein (Dyslexia),
John F. Kennedy (Addison’s disease), Rita Hayworth
(Alzheimer’s disease), Ray Charles
(Primary Glaucoma), Stephen Hawking (Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis), Jackie Joyner-
Kersee (Asthma). Of course, the otherbirth that may
never have taken place is your
own!
12. Describe two otherexamples of “Bad Science” that
you observed in the movie.