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If you haven’t seen Gattaca, it’s a near-future world where nearly everyone is genetically engineered. Those few who are not genetically engineered are social outcasts. Genetic testing is in depth, quick, cheap, and easy to do. As a result, everything is based on genes. Potential employers and even romantic partners will collect a dna sample from your hair, spit, fingernails, etc. Then they will pay a small fee to run the sample through a machine, and it will print a summary. This summary will include information about genetic defects like your chances of having heart failure; it even provides information about iq and physical fitness.
This type of genetic screening is already starting to be available. For under a $1000.00, you can buy a genetic testing kit. In fact, both 23andMe and deCODEme, let you can buy multiple kits. These tests work by both telling you which health problems are common among people with with a similar genotype, and by looking for specific genetic defects. There are no testing restrictions, so you could test that hot girl or guy you’ve started dating. While the testing isn’t as in depth as the ones in Gattaca, they do screen for quite a few genetic defects.
The price will continue to drop, and the testing will become more in depth. In a few decades, genetic testing will be very popular. People will test themselves, their children, and anyone they are curious about.
5 Comments to 'Gattaca-like Genetic Testing'
Unlike the “single hair” test in Gattaca, the 23andMe test requires a hefty 2 mL of saliva - a volume that is surprisingly difficult to generate. I think it’s pretty unlikely that you could get someone to spit into a cup for five minutes without arousing some level of suspicion.
haha! Still got a ways to go.
It would be a good idea to test that hot girl in case she’s got a hot case of gonorhea, yeast infection or some other nasty STD. Yucko.
lol! It’s a very good idea to ask. I asked my last girlfriend and she was completely comfortable and honest about it. She had had something in the past, but was past the point of being able to transmit it. If you ask politely I think most people are cool with it. Although, it’s probably not the question you should use to introduce yourself 
Talk about a hot pickup line?
You:
Hey there, I was noticing you sitting at the bar counter here and well, I couldn’t help but to wonder- Do you have any infected sores dripping from your vagina?
Her:
SLAP! Right across your face.
LOL
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