In this blog post, using the sci-fi film ‘Gattaca’ as a starting point, I’ll discuss the causes of discrimination stemming from scientific and technological advancements and what we need to prepare for.
Science Fiction and Gattaca: How Discrimination Is Portrayed
The science fiction genre captivates many people by presenting visions of the future through its unique imagination. While the themes vary from work to work, they often share a common focus on exploring the impact of scientific and technological advancements on society—particularly discrimination and conflict. For example, ‘Gundam SEED’, part of the ‘Gundam’ series, centers on the conflict between “Coordinators”—individuals born through genetic engineering—and “Naturals”—those conceived naturally. The paradoxical premise—where Coordinators, though superior in many ways, face discrimination from Naturals simply because they are a minority—prompts us to consider why excellence itself can become a target of discrimination.
Gattaca also addresses a similar issue, albeit in a different tone. In the near future, so-called “Qualified” individuals—whose genetic defects have been eliminated through genetic engineering—have become the mainstream of society, while naturally conceived people are classified as “Unqualified” and excluded from employment opportunities and social status. The protagonist, Vincent, has a congenital heart condition that prevents him from realizing his dream of becoming an astronaut, but he moves toward his goal by assuming someone else’s identity (disguising himself using blood, urine, and other means). While the film conveys a message of hope through the story of Vincent achieving his dream through his own efforts and the help of those around him, this article aims to focus not on the theme of “dreams” but on the discrimination itself resulting from scientific and technological advancements.
The film’s setting also includes scientific depictions that differ from reality. For example, the film features scenes where genetic identity is easily verified through blood and urine tests, but in reality, it is difficult to accurately determine all genetic information from urine alone. Nevertheless, the core message conveyed by ‘Gattaca’ goes beyond the mere accuracy of scientific facts; it demonstrates how an identity defined by technology can restrict an individual’s life.
The Root of Discrimination: Technology Itself or Social Perception?
The idea of creating “perfect” humans through genetic engineering is a compelling theme in science fiction. This is because perfection itself creates clear distinctions, and these distinctions can become the starting point for discrimination. Consequently, many science fiction works depict new forms of discrimination by citing scientific and technological advancements as the cause, thereby instilling a sense of caution in readers regarding technological progress. However, the question we must ask here is whether “technology itself” is truly the root of discrimination.
A comparison between ‘Gundam’ and ‘Gattaca’ reveals an interesting difference. While both works deal with discrimination, the targets are different. In ‘Gattaca’, naturally conceived “undesirables” face discrimination, whereas in ‘Gundam’, genetically engineered “Coordinators” are discriminated against. This difference depends on who shapes the perceptions of the social majority. The “majority” referred to here is not simply population size, but public opinion and the perceptions of society’s members.
Therefore, the root cause of discrimination lies not in the technology itself, but in how members of society perceive and evaluate the entities created by that technology. To illustrate this, let’s consider a hypothetical scenario: what if, instead of a “perfect human,” an all-purpose robot were to appear? Robots are easily perceived as entities distinct from “humans,” and if they were integrated into society as functional tools, they might be accepted in a manner different from the conflicts that arise among humans. In other words, even the same differences may or may not lead to discrimination, depending on social framing and perception.
Looking at reality, the emergence of technology does not automatically lead to discrimination. Discrimination has already existed for various reasons—such as religion, gender, race, culture, and class—and has been shaped within a social context separate from science and technology.
Just as the intergenerational transmission of wealth inequality occurs, the conditions an individual is born with can also determine their life opportunities. The “label” attached to “non-conformists” in ‘Gattaca’ can be understood as an extension of this reality—the problem lies in a social system that assigns people based on a status determined at birth.
In the world of ‘Gattaca’, institutional mechanisms designed to exclude non-conformists exist. As symbolically illustrated by the blood tests at the entrance and various identity verification mechanisms, discrimination has become institutionalized because public opinion holds the perception that “the Unfit are useless.” In ‘Gundam’ as well, hostility toward Coordinators stems from the public perception that they are “different.”
So, what can we do to prevent this kind of discrimination? First, attempts to eliminate differences created by technology have practical limitations. Instead, what we can do is reshape the social climate and institutions that give rise to discrimination. We must foster public opinion that respects diversity through education, law, and customs, and establish institutional safeguards to prevent discrimination. Historically, the decline in racial discrimination was the result of the spread of human rights awareness combined with legal and social changes.
Ultimately, discrimination has existed throughout human history—from the dawn of civilization to the present and into the future—and there is a high likelihood that future technological advancements will create new forms of discrimination. However, rejecting or denying technology itself is not a desirable response. Just as a knife can be either a weapon or a tool, science and technology can be either a useful tool or a source of harm, depending on how society manages and utilizes them. Therefore, rather than blaming the side effects of science and technology, it is important to develop the social capacity to handle such technology responsibly.
The question raised by ‘Gattaca’ is not simply a message to be wary of genetic engineering, but a reflection on how society should accept and control the new boundaries and labels created by technology. Rather than hindering technological progress, we must create institutions and a culture that can embrace and safely manage it, thereby reducing discrimination.
