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Encyclopedia of Genetics, Rev. Ed. Genetics in Television and Films Field of Study: History of Genetics; Human genetics and social issues Significance: Popular culture expresses attitudes regarding genetics. Films and television programs present biotechnology in extremes of either promoting genetics as a valuable investigative and reproductive tool or demeaning it as a dangerous science which is hazardous to people and environments. Most genetic depictions in these media are more entertaining than accurate. Key Terms EUGENICS: the selective application of genetics to produce superior offspring GENETIC DETERMINISM: how genes might influence behavioral characteristics Science Fiction In the 1950's, science-fiction films and television programming gradually incorporated references to genetics. The expansion of biotechnology research in the 1970's inspired fictional plots that focused on genetics to amuse audiences more than educate them. Box-office successes such as Jurassic Park (1993) and hit series including The X-Files (1993-2002) popularized genetics and how it can be applied to transform, extend, and enrich lives. With the exception of documentaries such as The DNA Revolution (1998), few films and programs featuring genetics are realistic and accurate. Science-fiction films and television programs usually depict genetics as a wondrous endeavor that can abruptly go awry. Genetics is often appropriated to provoke rather than to resolve dilemmas. In film and television, genetic engineering is usually equated with power--power that genetically superior characters occasionally abuse. Plots frequently contrast extremes, such as good and evil scientists pitted against each other or combating corrupt administrators and greedy entrepreneurs. Many depictions of genetics perpetuate stereotypes such as mad scientists isolated in laboratories and unaccountable to humankind for their research and creations. A host of biotechnological monsters and mutants populate films. DNA and Identity CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, a television series that first aired in 2000, is representative of crime-based television shows that became popular in the late 1990's because of public fascination with the O. J. Simpson murder trial and other high-profile cases in which DNA evidence was showcased in the media. Both episodic drama programming and true-crime shows such as Cold Case Files rely on sets that are filled with genetic tools. Scenes depict characters collecting DNA samples from crime scenes and evaluating the tissues in laboratories to identify victims, prove criminals' guilt, or exonerate the falsely accused. Soap-opera writers often appropriate genetics as a plot device. Characters test DNA to confirm paternity, establish identity, or prove a person's presence at a crime scene. These daytime serials usually restrict access to DNA knowledge to medical and police personnel. Some characters manipulate DNA evidence by switching samples or tampering with laboratory records. In 2002, Days of Our Lives introduced a story line involving the genetically engineered Gemini Twins, who displayed previously undocumented DNA patterns. Cloning Characters Clones are often depicted as evil creatures that prey on humans. The feature film The Boys from Brazil (1978) reveals the potential horrific results if Nazi sympathizers successfully cloned Adolf Hitler. Clones are sometimes shown to be dutiful, almost robotic, helpers. In Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), thousands of clonetroopers are created as soldiers during the clone wars. In these movies, cloning concepts are more futuristic than realistic. Jurassic Park and its two sequels captured worldwide attention for cloning. Those movies are based on the concept that scientists cloned dinosaurs from DNA preserved in amber. Scientists criticize this movie's premise of cloning a dinosaur from fragments of ancient genetic material as improbable, stating that locating an egg and host animal capable of transforming the DNA into a dinosaur would be difficult if not impossible. The Brazilian soap opera O clone (2001-2002; the clone) chronicles Dr. Albieri secretly creating the clone Leo. Albieri is concerned for Leo's health, referring to cloned sheep Dolly's premature aging, and addresses ethical issues related to cloning. Leo suffers identity problems, questions his potential life span, and resents unwanted public attention. Designer Plots Hollywood is intrigued with the idea of human genetic modification. Films and programs explore the possibilities of manipulating genes to give characters unnatural advantages. Often these genetic changes create designer bodies in an almost eugenic effort to attain physical perfection and perceived superiority. These presentations usually simultaneously address determinism and how genes might control both positive and negative behaviors unrelated to appearance. In Gattaca (1997), genetically altered characters have power in a futuristic society over normal characters who have not benefited from biotechnology and are relegated to an underclass because of their imperfections. Vincent, a frustrated janitor who aspires to become an astronaut, uses DNA to adopt the appearance of the elite. His genetic transformation enables him to achieve his professional ambition. Vincent's emotional traits are shown to be superior to the physical beauty of the genetically engineered people. Beginning in 2002, MTV aired Clone High, a controversial cartoon featuring clones of significant historical leaders. These characters are presented as angst-ridden teenagers whom the scripts hint represent genetic determinism. For example, Joan of Arc is an atheist, suggesting that she might have been genetically prone to that behavior if she had not been influenced by cultural factors. Reactions Genetic-based movie and television programming impacts audiences by influencing how people perceive and accept or reject biotechnology. Although these media expand awareness of genetics, they usually are not reliable educational resources and perpetuate misunderstandings. Advertisements for the fictional O clone, designed as news broadcasts, were so realistic that many viewers thought an actual person had been cloned. Errors detract from programs being credible cinema. Movies and series offer simplified depictions of complex scientific processes, suggesting they require minimal time and effort and consistently produce positive results. Viewers develop unrealistic expectations that genetics can quickly solve mysteries because of the immediacy of DNA testing in brief episodes. Dr. J. Craig Venter criticizes popular culture's concentration on genetic determinism because such emphasis and negative cinematic portrayals might cause people to reject biotechnology instead of recognizing its merits. Experts worry about cinema geneticists acting irresponsibly and unprofessionally. In an effort to improve depictions, some scientists have served as genetics advisers for film and television productions. Elizabeth D. Schafer See AlsoAncient DNA; Biological Determinism; Chromosome Theory of Heredity; Classical Transmission Genetics; Cloning; Cloning: Ethical Issues; Criminality; DNA Fingerprinting; Eugenics; Eugenics: Nazi Germany; Evolutionary Biology; Forensic Genetics; Genetic Code, Cracking of; Genetic Engineering: Historical Development; Genetic Engineering: Social and Ethical Issues; Human Genetics; Human Genome Project; Lamarckianism; Mendelian Genetics; Patents on Life-Forms; Paternity Tests; Race; Sociobiology. Further Reading DeSalle, Robert, and David Lindley. The Science of Jurassic Park and the Lost World. New York: BasicBooks, 1997. Authors reveal how the cloning of dinosaurs would be impossible to achieve. Glassy, Mark C. The Biology of Science Fiction Cinema. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2001. Cancer researcher critiques films for plausibility of biotechnology and explains scientific principles and whether the results could be duplicated off film. Simon, Anne. The Real Science Behind the X-Files: Microbes, Meteorites, and Mutants. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999. The official science adviser to the television series discusses the authenticity of many of the genetic plots. Turney, Jon. Frankenstein's Footsteps: Science, Genetics, and Popular Culture. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1998. Science communication expert analyses how people perceive genetics as presented in films. Web Sites of Interest The Science Behind the X-Files. http://huah.net/scixf/xeve.html. Describes the genetics-related science presented in each episode of this television series, and provides relevant links to scientific experts and research institutes. |
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