Gattaca (1997) + TALK: Genetic Modification – The Sky’s the Limit?

Vincent (Ethan Hawke) dreams of becoming a space pilot, but in the world in which he lives only those people with prime genetic material can attain the top jobs. Determined to succeed, he makes a deal with the genetically-perfect Jerome (Jude Law) which will provide him with fresh daily samples of Jerome’s urine, skin and hair, thus allowing him to fake his identity and find a place on the Gattaca space program. The plan starts off working perfectly, but when one of the company’s directors is murdered and Vincent becomes the main suspect, it can only be a matter of time before his secret is revealed.

The screening will be preceded by a talk from Sarah Norcross, Director of the charity Progress Educational Trust (www.progress.org.uk), who will discuss the scientific limits of genetic modification in humans and ask what limits society should place on the use of these technologies. Should a genetic test limit your ambition?