Genetics – How Science Fiction Failed Us

May 4, 2010 - By Phineas Delgado

You might have noticed that the last few articles have had a bit of a theme to them. From Robots, to Artificial Intelligence, to Cyborgs, we’ve addressed how Science Fiction has reinforced in us a fear of “artificial life”. As I mentioned last week, Isaac Asimov called this irrational fear the “Frankenstein Complex”, referring, of course, to the hapless young Dr. Frankenstein and his revulsion at his own creation. That fear and loathing has transferred to us, even as we look at a bright future where these artificial means help us lead happier, safer and more productive lives.

Of course, there is one final rung on this ladder; a rung where humans aren’t replaced or augmented with artificial parts. I’m talking about Genetic Modification. This is a hot-button topic to be sure, what with the built in ethical questions, and all. You can’t even clone a sheep without having someone call you the Antichrist (which is funny in itself because I was always taught animals don’t go to heaven, so who cares if they have clones). Stem cell researchers, too, have been equated to fetus harvesters, which is a truly unfair assessment if there ever was one. And these only represent two of the current forms of genetic research.

Dolly the Sheep or Dolly the "Evil Clone" Sheep?

Science Fiction, and, in this case, I’ll include comic books as well, since they share the same roots, has taken genetic manipulation and modification to a whole new place. What would Marvel Comics be without Mutants? And here I have to give Stan Lee credit where credit is due. He made sure that we understood that it wasn’t the mutations that made people special, it was their hearts; and that power did not have to corrupt, so long as you surrounded yourself with people who loved you for who you are and not what you can do. Besides, Marvel was realistic enough to know that not every mutant would have an awesome cool power. At some point, one of them was going to have the power to grow elastic prehensile ear hair, or perhaps the ability to turn into anything water related… wait, that’s been done. Anyway, the Morlocks show us what it REALLY means to have randomly mutating DNA, and it is rarely pretty. Anyone remember Chickenwings? He was the one with hollow bones and wings in his armpits. Yes, wings; in his armpits. The smell alone… well let’s just say he probably didn’t get many dates. And don’t forget the aforementioned Ear Hair Guy.

Then there is eugenics, the idea of selective breeding to bring forth the most desirable qualities in an offspring. I mean we’ve been doing it for centuries with dogs, horses and plants, why not people? I have a one word answer for you. In fact, I’ll let Bill Shatner say it for me. “KHAAAAAAAAAN!”  That’s right, kiddos, Khan Noonien Singh was the product of late 20^th century selective breeding and modification. Science Fiction also took the idea and added some consumerism and gave us GATTACA, where people are given jobs based on their genetic profile (which would have been made ideal before their birth based on what the parents chose and paid for). Let’s not forget the most recent movie adaptation of The Island of Dr. Moreau. The goat man gave me nightmares… for real. I’m serious. Another aspect of this is the super-scary, and not-nearly-as-unrealistic-as-we-would-like idea that someone, somewhere, is manipulating DNA or RNA to create “prefect” viruses that eliminate only certain people or attack only certain types of cells (I am Legend, Omega Man same origin, different plot points).

In the end, the idea of eugenics or genetic selection doesn’t sit well with many of us because of the moral or ethical questions involved. Is it right to selectively breed out undesirable traits? Is it immoral to treat congenital diseases in utero, or even a step further, do the unspeakable deed because the disease can’t be corrected or cured? It would seem that this time Science Fiction probably got it right. Most of the time, in the science fiction anyway (not the comic books, which use a different plot formula), the normal person wins out over the augmented person anyway, reinforcing that the Creator knows best.  Besides, it’s our lack of genetic diversity that brings out some of these diseases and shortcomings in the first place. Are we risking more dangerous types or deformities by further limiting the gene pool, or removing less desirable traits? I don’t know, but the guy with the elastic prehensile ear hair is going to give a Power Point presentation on his thoughts later. Or at least the ear hair is… See you there.