Background

Eugenics is, "a science that deals with the improvement (as by control of human mating) of hereditary qualities of a race or breed" (dictionary). This concept is a controversial topic. During the Holocaust the practice of eugenics went too far with the attempted extermination of the Jews. But the chance to alter one's genetic makeup to have more desirable attributes is appealing. The question is, when will this idea go too far with the technologies we are developing? And what effects will it have on society?

History

Francis Galton, first cousin of Charles Darwin, coined the term 'eugenic' in 1885. He used this term to describe a human controlled 'social Darwinism,' where selective breeding patterns on the individual level would bring about desirable traits in one's offspring. Next came Karl Pearson, a follower of Galton, who suggested that the governing body should dictate who could or could not breed.

By 1900, eugenics had become a socially accepted ideology in Europe and the United States. The idea of keeping 'dysgenic' individuals from passing on their genes became more popular. By 1917, 15 states had laws allowing forced sterilization of the mentally ill. Other countries followed the United State's example, including Sweden, Canada, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, and Germany. Countries that had a stronger Roman Catholic influence did not have these sterilization laws, but this does not mean that eugenic measures were not taken in these countries.

During this time, only a few scattered dissenters vocalized their disapproval of the eugenic philosophy. Josiah Wedgewood was radically against eugenics and the Eugenics Society in England. He championed individual liberty over government imposed societal improvement. His voice was effective in stopping a forced sterilization law in England. This set a precedent about eugenic legislation.

Membership in eugenic societies reached record highs during the depression years of the early 1930s. During this time, the focus of eugenics changed from mental illness to race. Racial degradation became a scapegoat for economic problems, and as a result many countries passed eugenic laws during this time. The practice of eugenics reached a frightening level during the Nazi Regime in Germany with the Holocaust. Millions of 'unfit' people, including Jews, mentally ill, gypsies, and homosexuals lost their lives in the name of racial purity (6).

Now eugenics, under this title, is no longer a popular ideology. But the truth is that all of the topics on this website have to do with eugenics, to the extent that they deal with perfection of the human race through genetic means. Therefore, research such as the Human Genome Project, reproductive technologies, behavioral genetics, and genetic testing raise ethical questions that are complex and emotionally charged. Yes, this technology can benefit human beings greatly, but it also has the potential to make humans much less accepting of diversity , by suggesting that fetuses that possess certain traits do not deserve to develop into human beings.

This page created by Rachel Nielsen