Work sample
Science – Year 10
Work sample: Gattaca and the ethical questions it raises
Relevant part of the achievement standard
By the end of year 10 students develop questions and hypotheses and independently design and carry
out appropriate methods of investigation. When designing and undertaking investigations they take into
account the need for accuracy, safety, fairness, ethical actions and collaboration. They identify where digital
technologies can be used to enhance the quality of investigations and they communicate using scientific
language and representations appropriate to the content.
Students demonstrate an understanding of the scientific theories that explain the origin of the universe
and the evolution of life on Earth. They use relationships between force, mass and acceleration to predict
changes in the motion of objects. They explain the basis of the periodic table and use this organiser to
distinguish between elements and use knowledge of chemical change to predict the products of chemical
reactions They explain and predict how change, including that caused by human activity affects the
sustainability of systems at a local and global level. They describe factors that have guided scientific
developments, predict how future applications of science and technology may affect people’s lives and
evaluate information from a scientific perspective.
Summary of task
As part of a unit of work on DNA and genetics, students were asked to consider how the use of genetics may
affect people’s lives in the future. They were directed to focus on ethical and social issues and to ensure that
they used their knowledge of DNA and genes in their responses.
Student attainment of the achievement standard is determined at the end of a reporting period after
reviewing relevant assessment evidence.
Work sample – November 2010
Year 10
© ACARA 2010 (except where otherwise indicated).
Page 1 of 3
Work sample
Science – Year 10
Work sample: Gattaca and the ethical questions it raises
Annotations
Gattaca and the Ethical Questions It Raises
Today’s society now has an increased focus on science and technology, with most
new discoveries that benefit mankind being widely publicised in scientific journals
or, in some cases, on the news. Some of the most beneficial discoveries come from
the field of genetics, with genetic engineering being one of the most controversial
topics. The main source of controversy is genetics surrounding humans, many people
argue that genetic research could, and should, be used to help those suffering from a
genetic disease or be used to eradicate the disease altogether. Genetics, specifically
genetic engineering, being used to cure medical conditions opens the question of
exactly what a medical condition is, some people may consider death and aging to
be medical conditions. In theory genetic engineering could be used to enable people
to re-grow limbs or drastically alter people’s natural attributes like speed, strength
or intelligence. The genetic modification of an embryo poses an ethical question
on the rights of the baby. Should the choice lie with the parents? Or should there
be no choice at all? Some argue that every child has the right to be born free of
preventable ailments but this does not consider the perspective of what an ailment
can be.
Inevitably, if such a practice were to come into place, wealthy families in the
higher echelons of society would opt to “design” their child with the best genetic
advantage they could, leaving children with families that can’t afford the process
with a disadvantage before they are even born. This leads to a new division of class
not only classified by the wealthy but also by the genetically superior, jobs would
become sparse for those without a strong genetic profile. Of course laws and
regulations could be put in place around such practices, but as shown in the movie
Gattaca where a company could not request a DNA test or hire someone based on
their genetic profile, companies could still use other sources of genetic material,
such as urine from a drug test or hairs dropped in the interview to perform an illegal
scan of their DNA and hire them based on the results, these do not always work.
This makes a reshuffle of the class system a likely occurrence, with your race made
obsolete, your standing in society will be classified by your genes and by extension
your wealth. With each new generation of children in a wealthy family continuing
the practice of genetically enhancing their offspring, their genes will become
exponentially better, this will create a larger divide between the classes with each
new generation and eventually creating what would, for all intents and purposes,
be two different species of humans. The non-genetically advanced group would
slowly dwindle in numbers, from poverty, disease and crime. Any disease that was
wiped out in the upper sections of society could potentially become even more of a
threat to them. With high society being cured of most types of infection and disease
before they are born, any disease caught could potentially be a major threat, with
no natural immunity to the disease it would quickly spread through their ranks, this
threat becomes more pressing with every generation. This would lead the two halves
of society to be divided, with all those that have not been genetically altered being
quarantined to protect the rich.
Work sample – November 2010
Year 10
© ACARA 2010 (except where otherwise indicated).
Identifies the possible
future application of
science in the field of
genetics.
Raises ethical
considerations related
to the application of
genetic modification.
Page 2 of 3
Work sample
Science – Year 10
Work sample: Gattaca and the ethical questions it raises
This is without considering that genetic manipulation itself, has its own risks, the
only way to truly test such a procedure would be on a human embryo. Which then
raises its own ethical dilemma; is it morally acceptable to test a potentially deadly
procedure on an unborn child? A procedure that alters said child’s DNA. Can a DNA
altering procedure be performed on someone halfway through their life? Or will the
radical change in their genes cause serious problems?
In conclusion, the idea of manipulating a person’s DNA is to be carefully considered.
The ramifications of mass gene pool altering are severe and the above scenario
may only take 3 or 4 generations to occur. I believe that the altering of an embryo
is morally acceptable if that embryo shows signs of developing a disease that could
be prevented by genetic engineering, at any other time it is unacceptable. It also
should not be a compulsory service the choice should ultimately lie with the parents,
who must be adequately informed of any procedural risks. It MUST be a free
service offered to any parents, regardless of their circumstances or their position in
society. I have no doubt that research into genetic engineering will become more
commonplace, hopefully with some countries choosing to adopt widespread use
of genetically modified crops in the near future. This would quickly lead to raised
awareness of what genetic modification actually does, rather than the Hollywood
based view many people share.
Annotations
Raises a scientific
question to be
considered.
Recognises another
application of genetic
modification.
Raises the issue of
validity of information.
Acknowledgement:
ACARA acknowledges the contribution of trial school teachers and students in providing the tasks and work samples. The annotations written by ACARA
are referenced to the Australian curriculum achievement standards.
Work sample – November 2010
Year 10
© ACARA 2010 (except where otherwise indicated).
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