Genetic Discrimination in the Arts

Artists

Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle
Manglano-Ovalle has grounded his art in the misuse of power and the topics of identity and representation. Recently, the artist has examined issues of privacy and individuality in light of genetic research. His installation entitled The Garden of Delights consists of a collection of DNA portraits that explores views of identity and race in genetics. Another portrait, The Patron, His Wife, His Barber, and the Artist, addresses the privacy and access concerns of DNA information. More information on Manglano-Ovalle’s art is available at:
http://www.gene-sis.net/artists_manglano-ovalle.html

Novels

Margaret Atwood, Oryx and Crake (Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group: New York 2004). This book is Jimmy’s recollection of his relationship with his best friend Crake, a scientific genius. The two men lived with other members of the “upper-class” population in a biotech-company-owned town, where “ordinary” people were not allowed. Crake’s experiments eventually lead to humanity’s ruin, and Jimmy finds himself a lone human, among the creatures known as “Children of Crake.”

Nancy Kress, Beggars Ride, (Tor: New York 1997). The first book in Kress’ trilogy provides a setting where a segment of the population is genetically engineered to function without sleep. Problems ensue between the highly intelligent, healthy “Sleepless” and “normal” humans.

Shariann Lewitt, Rebel Sutra (Tor: New York 2001)
By altering generations of genes, the “Changed” have maintained their governance over the colonial setting in this book. Every year—knowing that the humans will fail—the “Changed” stage a match up between their young and “regular” human children. When a relationship develops between Arsen (a human planning to take the test) and rebellious Della (of the “Changed”), the superiority structure of the “Changed” is questioned.

S. Joan Popek, Sound the Ram’s Horn
A child, Joshua, is born with five extra chromosomes, and has the gifts of empathy and healing. Others are born like Joshua, with similar qualities. However, these “gifts” also have consequences. Many members of society (including Joshua’s own mother) come to either hate or fear the children for their differences, and other entities seek to exploit these “Golden Children.”

Will Shetterly, Chimera
This detective-thriller brings together private investigator Chase Maxwell and Zoe Domingo, a chimera. Chimeras have a genetic makeup comprised of both animal and human genes, and society does not grant them the equal rights and status that “normal” humans enjoy. When Zoe’s mentor is murdered, she is accused of the crime, and her only hope is that Maxwell will succeed in finding the true killer’s identity.

Movies

Gattaca (1997), Columbia/Tristar Studios.
In the near future, human beings are born utilizing genetic engineering, thereby becoming “Valid,” and gaining a prominent place in society. When an “In-Valid,” born naturally, tries to join the space program, he must assume the identity of a disabled “Valid” and disrupt the genetic assumptions of the society in which he lives.

X-Men (2000), X-2 (2003), Twentieth Century Fox.
In this futuristic world, “regular” humans coexist with those who are genetically enhanced. This action/sci-fi movie series highlights the discrimination, fear, and power struggles involved among the varying factions of “humans” and “mutants.”