The basic idea of the film "Gattaca" is that genetic technology has advanced to the stage where a person's entire DNA balance can be mapped, along with the hereditary disorders associated with it. Such information is routinely used by government agencies and corporations to determine a person's identity and their suitability for certain positions. A faulty (invalid) genetic make-up automatically disqualifies a person from important positions in society and places them into boring positions and social exclusion.

The film begins with the quote 'Consider Gods handwork: who can straighten what he has made crooked' from Ecclesiastes 7:13, followed by the quote 'I not only think that we will tamper with Mother Nature, I think Mother Nature wants us to' from Willard, then cuts to extreme close ups of someone exfoliating, removing fingernails, hair, skin fragments and eyelashes, which is shown later on in the film is a persons calling...