Imagine a time, in the “not too distant future,” when your destiny is determined not by your abilities, but by your genes.

A future in which what you will be is determined before you are even born — before you are even conceived, for that matter.

That is the world of “Gattaca,” where scientific advances in genetics now allow parents to pick and choose what attributes their offspring will possess.

It seems like a good idea, right? After all, what parent wouldn’t want to guarantee their child would never get cancer or have heart disease? So for health reasons, genetic engineering sounds like a good thing.

Of course, the genetic messing around doesn’t stop there. First, pick a boy or a girl. Give him or her the eye color of your choice, a long life span and the freedom from ever being fat or bald. Heck, give the child an extra finger on each hand to get a head start on playing the piano.

Why stop at physical traits? Go for high intelligence. Make sure your child carries no predisposition for prejudice or violence.

That is where “Gattaca” starts to get scary. It starts to make you think about what the future will really be like.

I really loved the ideas in this movie. A future like this, full of designer people who are genetically altered, seems very likely.

Genetics is the “hot” science issue right now, thanks to that sheep clone. Sure, they say the new technology will never be used to alter or clone a human, but how many people actually believe that?

The film follows the life of Vincent, a boy born as a “faith birth,” or without the advantage of genetic altering. In other words, his parents had him the old fashion way — they did it.

At birth, a single drop of Vincent’s blood is fed into a computer. His entire life is then spelled out — what diseases he’ll have, how smart he’ll be and how long he’ll live. All known the moment he is born.

Because he is a “God child,” Vincent is automatically a second- class citizen. In the future, prejudice is not based on skin color or economic status, but on your genes.

In order to rise above his low status, Vincent becomes a “borrowed ladder,” someone who buys the genetic identity of a valid person.

Like I said, I loved the concept of “Gattaca.” But the pacing was so damn slow. Ideas aren’t enough to drive a movie.

There are very few moments of tension in the movie, even following a murder in which Vincent becomes a suspect — not because he has a motive, but merely because he is a genetic invalid.

A single eyelash left near the scene of the crime leads authorities to Vincent, although they can’t find him in his disguise.

This vision of the future is so scary because it seems so plausible. A single strand of hair, a drop of blood or saliva left on a cup after getting a drink of water will tell someone everything about you they need to know.

I just wish “Gattaca” wasn’t so dull. I like a movie that makes you think, but it doesn’t have to put you to sleep at the same time.

3 stars out of five.

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Mike Milik is a senior in advertising from West Des Moines.