from popular culture. Genoism is a neologism coined by Andrew Niccol, director and writer of the 1997 film Gattaca, used to describe unethical and illegal genetic discrimination. Predictions of physical and mental performance are computed via genetics from DNA collected from hair, fingernails, skin flakes, spit swabs, eyelashes, etc. Upon birth, a number of genetically-induced characteristics are calculated: physical and intellectual capacity, life expectancy, probable successful diseases, and likely causes of death, all determined via blood samples and genetic testing. Job interviews, health insurance purchasing, and even potential dates can be sized up according to the perceived quality of the person's DNA due to advancements in genome sequencing. This put an ironic twist to Darwin's sexual selection for good genes. According to the movie, "We now have discrimination down to a science." See also Dysgenics Gattaca, the most notable film about genetic discrimination Genetic privacy Human Genome Project Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act Americans with Disabilities Act Affordable Care Act Genetic Discrimination Observatory References External links National Human Genome Research Institute on Genetic Discrimination Respond Genetic Discrimination Human genetics Medical ethics Discrimination by type Science fiction themes