Genetic engineering in film: the case of chimeras

Abstract

The development of molecular genetics in the second half of XXth century has allowed considering situations, which were in the bioscience fiction field until then. Among them, the possibility of making chimeras using the combination of genetic material is now a real option. Movies have repeatedly shown this possibility by means of literary works o directly by screen plays. This article analyzes some films that may help to understand social beliefs on chimeras in the last century. We have considered Island of lost souls (1932), The island of doctor Moreau (1977), The fly (1958, 1986), Mimic (1997) and Splice (2009). The main conclusions of this analysis are the presence of a negative view to the possibility of making chimeras following the point of view that was used in Frankenstein. The movies also lack of a consideration of the potential benefits of using chimeras. Ethical misgivings and the vision of playing God scientists avoid a impartial view of a situation, which is already among us.

Keywords

• ingeniería genética
• películas comerciales
• quimeras
• genética molecular