WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speakers Series presents a screening of the film Gattaca. A discussion led by Edward Beekman-Myers, an English professor at UIS and Lincoln Land Community College, science-fiction writer, and authority will follow.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library
DETAILS: This science fiction film starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law presents a biopunk vision of a future society driven by liberal eugenics where potential children are selected through preimplantation genetic diagnosis to ensure they possess the best hereditary traits of their parents. A genetic registry database uses biometrics to instantly identify and classify those so created as "valids" while those conceived by traditional means are derisively known as "in-valids". While genetic discrimination is forbidden by law, in practice it is easy to profile a person's genotype resulting in the valids qualifying for professional employment while the in-valids—considered more susceptible to disease, educational dysfunction and shorter lifespans—are relegated to menial jobs.
Beekman-Myers is the author of The Totally Gnarly Adventures of the Galactically Bitchin' Comet Sweat!, a sci-fi/comedy novel that was published in 2009. More information is available at www.beekmanmyers.com.
For a list of other ECCE Speakers Series events and more information, visit http://illinois.edu/goto/speakerseries. All events are free and open to the public.
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