Eugenics: Difference between revisions
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'''Eugenics''' ( yoo-JEN-iks); from Ancient Greek εύ̃ (eû) 'good, well'; is the natural removal or weeding out of weak, disabling, and unhealthy genomes from the gene-pool while simultaneously promoting genes that are physically and mentally, healthy. It is a set of scientific practices that aim to improve the genetic quality of the human population. Historically, | '''Eugenics''' ( yoo-JEN-iks); from Ancient Greek εύ̃ (eû) 'good, well'; is the natural removal or weeding out of weak, disabling, and unhealthy genomes from the gene-pool while simultaneously promoting genes that are physically and mentally, healthy. It is a set of scientific practices that aim to improve the genetic quality of the human population. Historically, this was done the way farmers cull plants and animals, by preventing the reproduction of people found to have genetic illness and/or promoting the reproduction of those with favorable traits. | ||
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In recent years, the term has seen a revival in bioethical discussions on the usage of new technologies such as CRISPR and genetic screening. | In recent years, the term has seen a revival in bioethical discussions on the usage of new technologies such as CRISPR and genetic screening. Modern bioethicists who advocate eugenics characterize it as a way of enhancing individual traits, regardless of group membership. Many still stigmatize eugenics as [[racism]] or another form of discrimination. | ||
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The concept predates the term; [[Plato]] suggested applying these[[fascist]]principles of selective breeding to humans around 400 BC. Early advocates of eugenics in the 19th century regarded it as a way of improving groups of people | The concept predates the term; [[Plato]] suggested applying these [[fascist]] principles of selective breeding to humans around 400 BC. Early advocates of eugenics in the 19th century regarded it as a way of improving groups of people in all ways (higher IQ, more beautiful, taller, etc). | ||
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While eugenic principles have been practiced as early as [[ancient Greece]], by the [[Spartans]], the contemporary history of eugenics began in the late 19th century, when a popular eugenics movement emerged in the United Kingdom, and then spread to many countries, including the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]], and most [[European]] countries. People from across the political spectrum espoused eugenic ideas. Consequently, many countries adopted eugenic policies, intended to improve the quality of their populations' genetic stock. | |||
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While eugenic principles have been practiced as early as [[ancient Greece]], by the [[Spartans]], the contemporary history of eugenics began in the late 19th century, when a popular eugenics movement emerged in the United Kingdom, and then spread to many countries, including | Such programs included many measures: encouraging individuals deemed particularly "fit" to reproduce, marriage prohibitions and sterilization of people who were born with crippling genetic defects. In some countries sterilization of criminals were also included, especially if violent criminal behavior (rapists, murderers) ran in the family. | ||
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Such programs included many measures | In the decades following the [[Communist]] win of [[WW2]], many countries began to abandon eugenics policies, although some Western countries (the United States, Canada, and Sweden among them) continued to carry out sterilizations and abortion programs such as Planned Parenthood by [[Margaret Sanger]]. Communist policy instead promotes [[dysgenics]] which seeks to reproduce lower IQ, easier to control populations. | ||
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In the decades following the Communist win of WW2, many countries began to abandon eugenics policies, although some Western countries (the United States, Canada, and Sweden among them) continued to carry out sterilizations and abortion programs such as Planned Parenthood by [[Margaret Sanger]]. | Since the 1980s and 1990s, with new assisted reproductive technology procedures available, such as gestational surrogacy (available since 1985), preimplantation genetic diagnosis (available since 1989), and cytoplasmic transfer (first performed in 1996), we now posses technology which may create a possible revival of a more potent form of eugenics which previously was the stuff of science fiction. | ||
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Since the 1980s and 1990s, with new assisted reproductive technology procedures available, such as gestational surrogacy (available since 1985), preimplantation genetic diagnosis(available since 1989), and cytoplasmic transfer (first performed in 1996), | Modern examples of eugenics include CRISPR which can genetically edit the DNA sequence itself. This can be done to embryos, changing their genetics as they grow, or even to adults through injection. One example of adult genetic editing is the mRNA [[Covid 19]] injections. These reportedly add genetic code to produce spike proteins in human cells. The long term effects of these injections is yet to be determined, but around 5 billion people have been vaccinated, with many receiving between two and five doses of mRNA. | ||
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A major scientific criticism is that eugenics policies may eventually lead to a loss of genetic diversity, thereby resulting in inbreeding depression due to a loss of genetic variation. Mixing races, sub-races, and even family lines until they are indistinguishable would be a very bad thing. Too much of this, and suppressed genetic illness can become dominant, even epidemic. | A major scientific criticism is that eugenics policies may eventually lead to a loss of genetic diversity, thereby resulting in inbreeding depression due to a loss of genetic variation. Mixing races, sub-races, and even family lines until they are indistinguishable would be a very bad thing. Too much of this, and suppressed genetic illness can become dominant, even epidemic. | ||
[[Category:History]] | [[Category:History]] | ||
[[Category:Philosophy]] | [[Category:Philosophy]] |
Revision as of 17:29, 27 January 2023
Eugenics ( yoo-JEN-iks); from Ancient Greek εύ̃ (eû) 'good, well'; is the natural removal or weeding out of weak, disabling, and unhealthy genomes from the gene-pool while simultaneously promoting genes that are physically and mentally, healthy. It is a set of scientific practices that aim to improve the genetic quality of the human population. Historically, this was done the way farmers cull plants and animals, by preventing the reproduction of people found to have genetic illness and/or promoting the reproduction of those with favorable traits.
In recent years, the term has seen a revival in bioethical discussions on the usage of new technologies such as CRISPR and genetic screening. Modern bioethicists who advocate eugenics characterize it as a way of enhancing individual traits, regardless of group membership. Many still stigmatize eugenics as racism or another form of discrimination.
The concept predates the term; Plato suggested applying these fascist principles of selective breeding to humans around 400 BC. Early advocates of eugenics in the 19th century regarded it as a way of improving groups of people in all ways (higher IQ, more beautiful, taller, etc).
While eugenic principles have been practiced as early as ancient Greece, by the Spartans, the contemporary history of eugenics began in the late 19th century, when a popular eugenics movement emerged in the United Kingdom, and then spread to many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and most European countries. People from across the political spectrum espoused eugenic ideas. Consequently, many countries adopted eugenic policies, intended to improve the quality of their populations' genetic stock.
Such programs included many measures: encouraging individuals deemed particularly "fit" to reproduce, marriage prohibitions and sterilization of people who were born with crippling genetic defects. In some countries sterilization of criminals were also included, especially if violent criminal behavior (rapists, murderers) ran in the family.
In the decades following the Communist win of WW2, many countries began to abandon eugenics policies, although some Western countries (the United States, Canada, and Sweden among them) continued to carry out sterilizations and abortion programs such as Planned Parenthood by Margaret Sanger. Communist policy instead promotes dysgenics which seeks to reproduce lower IQ, easier to control populations.
Since the 1980s and 1990s, with new assisted reproductive technology procedures available, such as gestational surrogacy (available since 1985), preimplantation genetic diagnosis (available since 1989), and cytoplasmic transfer (first performed in 1996), we now posses technology which may create a possible revival of a more potent form of eugenics which previously was the stuff of science fiction.
Modern examples of eugenics include CRISPR which can genetically edit the DNA sequence itself. This can be done to embryos, changing their genetics as they grow, or even to adults through injection. One example of adult genetic editing is the mRNA Covid 19 injections. These reportedly add genetic code to produce spike proteins in human cells. The long term effects of these injections is yet to be determined, but around 5 billion people have been vaccinated, with many receiving between two and five doses of mRNA.
A major scientific criticism is that eugenics policies may eventually lead to a loss of genetic diversity, thereby resulting in inbreeding depression due to a loss of genetic variation. Mixing races, sub-races, and even family lines until they are indistinguishable would be a very bad thing. Too much of this, and suppressed genetic illness can become dominant, even epidemic.