GATTACA - a question of ethics

Before viewing the film:

1. Outline the term ‘ethical issues’. What makes something an issue and not a problem?
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2. Give three examples of an ethical issue.
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3. Define morals
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4. Define morays
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5. Give examples of spirituality
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6. Define abnormality.
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7. State the ethical decision making steps.
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 8. Apply the steps to an ethical issue
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9. Define normative standards and give an example
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10. Define social norms and give an example
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11. In your own words, what are deontological ethics?
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12. Define absolutism
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13. In your own words, what are utilitarian ethics?
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14. Define relativism
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 15. State the rules of ‘natural law’
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Whilst watching, complete the following

1. What do you think the film maker, Andrew Niccol, is trying to say by using the quotation
from Ecclesiastes 7:13 "Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what He has
made crooked?" at the beginning of the film?

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2. The doctor stated: "The child is you, simply the best of you". What does this mean, and why
does he say it in this way?

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3. What is the importance of the scene when Vincent saves Anton?

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4. How do the actions and decisions of Vincent and Eugene reflect their ethical beliefs? Can you
link them to either utilitarian or deontological ethics?

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5. Describe the societal norms and values depicted in "Gattaca" regarding genetic perfection and
discrimination.

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6. How do these norms influence the characters' behavior and choices?

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7. Did the doctor at Gattaca know all along that Jerome wasn't who he said he was? What gave him
away at the end?

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8. Highlight which of the seven basic goods of Natural Law are present in the film:

1. Self-preservation

2. Reproduction (continuity for humanity)

3. Educating offspring (providing for survival and continuation)

4. To know God

5. To live socially

6. To avoid offense (this threatens social existence & self-preservation)

7. To avoid ignorance (curiosity assists in survival)

9. Identify at least FOUR different ethical issues that arise in the movie, Gattaca.

Issue Why it is an ETHICAL issue. Try to use the language from our course