Genetic manipulation, class, race, and gender, as explored in Gattaca

Does genetic screening and manipulation as presented in Gattaca evoke a new eugenics? Does this scenario seem credible given current scientific trends?
The genetic screening and manipulation presented in Gattaca is a speculative enactment of “made to order” offspring. Genetic-oriented technology is presented as radically accelerating Darwinian evolutionary/eugenic processes; a more thorough genetic filter providing choice and control. Easier accessibility/attainability of genetic ideal(s) equates to the redundancy of the genetic compromise we presently face; hence, the evocation of a new eugenics.

Given current scientific trends, the conceptual potentialities regarding genetic manipulation presented in Gattaca are credible within the film’s own context; however, in the context of the real world, I feel ethical issues substantially decrease the likelihood of custom made offspring becoming a mainstream affair.

How are issues of class, race and gender explored in Gattaca?
Favourability informed by the potential for social mobility is interestingly and symbolically represented by the name “Anton”. It would appear that the boys’ father, Antonio, favours upward social mobility, and so the superior, “valid”, worthy son is given the father’s name as his first name. Vincent has his father’s name as his middle name, which is arguably inferior to a first name, because Vincent is an “in-valid” and is less likely to excel. Antonio’s want for his children to excel, and the investment of his identity in the son more likely to do so (i.e. Anton) in order that his (Antonio’s) identity is associated with success symbolises a favouring and advocation of upward social mobility.

Women and non-Caucasians are represented by characters in positions with some power; i.e. the mother and the doctor. The validation of this authority appears to depend primarily on whiteness and secondarily on masculinity. This is conveyed in the mother’s authority overriding the doctor’s (as exemplified in the conversation regarding the extent of Anton’s genetic manipulation), and Antonio’s authority overriding the mother’s (as exemplified in the naming of Vincent, and later in comparisons of the mother’s and father’s dialogue at the dinner table).

The film’s scant representation of women and non-Caucasians, coupled with Anton’s genetic superiority and Vincent’s will (and success) to excel, appears to suggest that the domination in Western society of the white male will continue into the future. It could therefore be argued that the film advocates a functionalist perspective of humanity.