GATTACA for tomorrow

Hi Everybody,

Have a great day at Take Your Kid to Work Day if that is what you are planning to do.  Remember your first response on GATTACA should be done for tomorrow.  You will have another response to roll out for Friday.

Please choose 1 of the following for your response that is due on Friday (if you are at school tomorrow, you will have a chance to plan in small groups):

4)   How does the discrimination (called genoism) Vincent faces in the film GATTACA similar to contemporary racism or classism?  Were their laws against genoism in the film?  Did they keep discrimination on the basis of genetics from happening?  How does that compare to current laws against racism?

5)   In the film GATTACA, Vincent fails to meet the genetic requirements for being a successful pilot at GATTACA. When Vincent is born, his genetic profile is lifted from his foot. He will die at 30, has poor eyesight and a weak heart. As an "Invalid," Vincent is eligible only for manual labor. Why waste education on an early death? So Vincent cleans the floors at the Gattaca Corporation with no hope of realizing his dream of riding corporate rockets to distant planets.   Yet, later in the movie, the program director describes “Jerome” as “one of our best”.  Likewise, the real Jerome has an excellent genetic profile yet fails to lead a successful life.  Does this support the idea that genetically determining an individual’s traits means that you can insure success?  Why or why not?

6)   In the film GATTACA Vincent’s parents are told that he will not be allowed to go to school with other children because the school cannot afford the insurance rates to cover an invalid child. Knowledge of one’s genetic profile could profoundly affect the price of insurance.  Insurance companies work on a risk assessment basis, where individuals with a greater potential for developing health complications are charged more than individuals who are deemed healthy.  For example, if you smoke you are charged more).  Actuarialists look at statistics to determine how much their

clients should be charged.  With current advancements in genetic testing, there is much potential to discriminate those with “bad genes”.  It is quite possible that individuals classified as high risk individuals may be denied the opportunity to purchase insurance.  However, insurance companies must operate as a business, looking out for themselves and their client’s best interests.

A)                You are representing an individual who has obtained a genetic screen and would like to purchase some insurance.  Results show that you are at an extremely high risk for developing cancer and hypertension.  However, you are currently a healthy individual who does not smoke and exercises on a regular basis.  Explain why you should be given the opportunity to purchase insurance at a reasonable price.

B)                 You are representing an insurance company.  A potential client approached your company about the possibility of purchasing insurance.  After reviewing her file, including a gene scan, you realize that she falls into a high-risk category.  Explain to her why you need to charge her considerably more for insurance.

C)                 Do you think insurance companies should have the right to genetically screen their clients and use that information to decide upon their insurance rates?  Why or why not?