Eugenics

Eugenics (/juːˈdʒɛnɪks/; from Greek εὐ- 'good' and γενής 'come into being, growing') is a set of beliefs and practices that aim to improve the genetic quality of a human population, historically by excluding people and groups judged to be inferior and promoting those judged to be superior.

Etymology

The term eugenics was coined in 1883 by the British explorer and natural scientist Francis Galton, who was influenced by the work of his cousin, Charles Darwin, and his theory of natural selection. The word is derived from the Greek words "eu" (good) and "genēs" (born), and in its simplest form, it means "well born."

History

The concept of eugenics has been present throughout history, but it gained significant popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many countries, including the United States and Germany, implemented eugenics policies, which included forced sterilization, marriage restrictions, and even euthanasia. These policies were often justified by the belief in the existence of so-called "inferior" and "superior" genes.

Modern Eugenics

In the modern era, eugenics has largely been discredited as a pseudoscience and is often associated with Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. However, some aspects of eugenics have been incorporated into fields such as genetic counseling, prenatal testing, and gene therapy.

Criticism

Eugenics has been heavily criticized for its lack of scientific basis, its violation of human rights, and its potential for abuse. Critics argue that it is impossible to accurately predict an individual's value based on their genetic makeup, and that such practices can lead to discrimination and genocide.

Related Terms

• Genetic Counseling
• Prenatal Testing
• Gene Therapy
• Forced Sterilization
• Natural Selection
• Holocaust

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Eugenics
• Wikipedia's article - Eugenics

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