How can free will be realized in a genetically engineered society?

The movie “Gattaca” emphasizes the importance of human endeavor and free will by telling the story of a genetically engineered, customized human being and an ordinary person who is treated unequally because of their genetic information. The main character strives to fulfill his dreams rather than follow a predetermined future, showing that even customizable humans can realize free will.

 

The movie “Gattaca” is a satirical film that depicts a future in which customized humans born through genetic engineering are the majority in a society, while ordinary people born without genetic engineering are treated unequally in society based on their genetic information. The moral of the movie is that human effort is more important than a meritocracy, and that the process is what makes a person more human than the outcome. In particular, the movie makes us reflect on the ethical and moral implications of technological advances on society. It makes us think about what opportunities advances in genetically engineered technology can provide for humanity, and what new forms of discrimination and inequality it can create.
The customized humans depicted in the film are portrayed as being unable to freely decide their future because their future has already been determined by genetic manipulation. However, rather than follow a predetermined future, the main character strives to fulfill his dream of becoming a space navigator. Although others view it negatively, the protagonist eventually realizes his dream. In the process, we are reminded of the importance of human will and hard work. Furthermore, the movie shows how strong a human being can be to fulfill his or her dreams under any conditions.
Of course, the film portrays custom humans as human robots who have lost their free will, which is easier to convey in a more idealized context. Critics of these custom humans might say, “Custom humans are humans who have not realized their free will since birth. They will only choose a future that is tailored to the needs of others. Therefore, people who have lost their free will will live without their own dreams, and since they are not capable of realizing their free will, they cannot be considered human beings in the strict sense of the word, but rather organic robots.”
But I have a different opinion. Of course, I agree that genetic modification does not allow for the realization of free will because it is done without the subject’s input. It’s also true that genetic modification is often done at the behest of parents or governments. It’s true that manipulation is done to shape people into what they want them to be. However, when we look at real-life human beings, we question whether we always make decisions through free will. We know that this is not always the case. The choices we make are not all on an equal footing. In some cases, this unequal footing is natural, but in other cases, it is the result of someone else’s will. In addition, differences in social and economic background and environment also influence our choices.
For example, consider a situation where a person borrows money from a gangster and is overdue and unable to repay. The gangster threatens the debtor to pay back the money or sell an organ. In this case, the debtor has several options, but only the two that the gangster demands. The option to pay back the money is not realistically possible. However, the option to sell an organ is possible, so the debtor chooses to do so. But can this choice be considered an act of free will? You’d think not. You’d have to say that the gangster’s threats suppressed free will, and that someone else’s intentional intervention influenced the debtor’s decision in a way that directed the debtor toward the outcome they wanted – in other words, no free will was exercised.
Next, suppose the debtor wrote a memorandum to sell his organs and then ran away. Now, the choice to run away is the result of an act of free will, since the inhibitions of someone else’s decision-making have been removed and the person is now free to make a choice. This is, of course, a case of free will.
So, what was I trying to say with this example? Let’s go back to our customizable human. Customizable humans have someone else’s will involved from the start. But does that mean that the decisions the subject makes from that point forward are not free will? I don’t think so. If we look at our current case, the first decision we make is not dictated by others, but the next decision we make is dictated by our parents or others. We get to choose from that limited set of options. Up to this point, it’s the same as for customizable humans. But as adults, we express our own will in most decisions. Critics argue that even as adults, custom humans are unable to make choices. If someone else’s will was involved from the beginning, will it continue to be so until the end? I don’t think so. Even if you’re a custom human, there will come a time when you have to make a decision on your own, and that expression of free will will make you feel human.
When most people watch the movie, they only care about the main character and don’t care about Eugene. He was like a cog in a machine, walking a set path, not a dream of his own making. But after his injury, he broke out of the mold of people’s standards. He found himself at a crossroads where he was able to choose freely, which seems to prove that custom humans are also “humans” capable of free will. Eugene’s story sheds new light on the critical view of customizable humans, and shows that all humans have the potential to overcome their circumstances and express true free will.
Beyond simply criticizing the inequalities of a futuristic society, the film reminds us of the essence of humanity, free will, and the importance of striving to fulfill our dreams. It makes us recognize the two faces of technological advancement and ponders what it means to be human. Through the theme of genetic manipulation, the film reflects on the problems of modern society and envisions our future. As technology advances, it raises questions about what it means to be human. Therefore, we will have to constantly strive to preserve our humanity and free will.