Movies, in particular science fiction, have often been used to portray the hopes and fears of emerging technology.
As entrepreneurs, this insight can be useful in getting a possible future grasp of outcomes that could bring opportunities or highlight unforeseen circumstances.
One of the most interesting and controversial technological advances is gene-editing. The technology known as CRISPR (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) allows scientists to manipulate and edit the DNA of any living organism.
In this article, we look at movies that deal with the subject and what entrepreneurs can learn from them.
Jurassic Park (1993) Playing God with DNA
Jurassic Park, based on Michael Crichton’s novel and directed by Steven Spielberg tells a story about scientists resurrecting dinosaurs through DNA recovered from mosquitoes trapped in prehistoric amber.
The genetic wonder turns into a nightmare as the creatures escape and wreak havoc.
The warning is summed up perfectly by the character Ian Malcom (Jeff Goldblum), who says,
“Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, that they didn’t stop to think if they should”.
Gattaca (1997) Genetic Discrimination
Gattaca, written and directed by Andrew Niccol, is set in a future reality where children are genetically engineered to be free from disease and are designed to exhibit superior traits.
Naturally born children are classified as “In-Valids” and are not allowed to access jobs and opportunities of their genetically engineered counterparts.
The movie follows Vincent Freeman, who was conceived naturally and predicted to have many genetic abnormalities preventing him from his dream of joining the space program.
Vincent decides to subvert the system by masking his genetic history and makes progress towards his goal, with various twists and turns.
The warning in this film highlights the dangers of genetic discrimination. As the realities of real-world technology and the eradication of disease come to fruition, the likelihood of a possible genetic caste system laden with inequalities offers a chilling potential outcome.
Splice (2009) The Perils of Hybridisation
Splice, directed by Vincenzo Natali, is a gene editing horror that deals with the horrific creation of a human-animal hybrid called Dren.
The experiment spirals out of control, raising disturbing questions about morality and the ethics of treating life as a lab product.
The warnings in this film highlight the dangers of treating genetic technology as a toy that can be played with.
Rampage (2018) Weaponised Gene Editing
Rampage, directed by Brad Peyton, deals with the dangers of using gene editing to create weaponised animals.
A rogue corporation uses the tech to create a pathogen bioweapon and a giant mutant species that threatens entire populations.
While the movie dramatises for entertainment, the story echoes real concerns about dual-use biotechnology: tools meant for healing could also be exploited for harm.
I Am Legend (2007) Unintended Consequences
Directed by Francis Lawrence, I Am Legend deals with the gene-editing of the measles virus that is seen as a solution and “miracle cure” for cancer.
The cancer cure mutates into a pandemic that wipes out most of humanity, turning those left into hyper-aggressive mutants.
The story highlights a recurrent theme in the gene-editing genre: that interventions at the genetic or viral level may have unintended consequences and ripple effects.
Real-World Resonance
Although the movie genre covered in this article is science fiction, the technology the movies are based on is not.
Today (Sept 2025), CRISPR has already been used to bring back the dire wolf, a once extinct species.
A company called Colossal is credited with the breakthrough.
There are also plans to “bring back” the woolly mammoth and other species.
If you want to find out more about the potential dangers of gene editing, read this article:
Final thoughts
Science fiction movies such as Jurassic Park that depict resurrected dinosaurs and Gattaca’s gene edited designer babies are starting to show significant parallels to our modern-day gene editing capabilities.
These movies highlight that entertainment can serve as a cautionary tale for both entrepreneurs and scientists to be cautious in tampering with the very foundation of any species.
These movies make one point clear, much like the statement in Jurassic Park: Just because we can, it doesn’t mean we should.
Fingers crossed!
Read about the full ‘Genetic Agenda’ in an exciting Sci-Fi – Illustrated Screenplay Format Book – Limited edition copies available on Amazon. Virtual Heaven (Back to Reality) – by Graham Jules.
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