Question

In the lecture on eugenics, we came across the ideas of both positive and negative eugenics. Do you think positive eugenics can achieve the stated goal of improving the quality of our society? Why, or why not? In your answer, be sure to reference the related concepts we covered in the course. Your response should demonstrate your understanding of the principles of inheritance and evolution.

Answer 1

Eugenics is a set of beliefs and practices that aim to improve the genetic quality of a human population,typically by excluding people and groups judged to be inferior and promoting those judged to be superior.

While eugenic principles have been practiced as early as ancient Greece, the contemporary history of eugenics began in the early 20th century, when a popular eugenics movement emerged in the United Kingdom, and then spread to many countries, including the United States, Canada, and most European countries. In this period, 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 both positive measures, such as encouraging individuals deemed particularly "fit" to reproduce, and negative measures, such as marriage prohibitions and forced sterilization of people deemed unfit for reproduction. Those deemed "unfit to reproduce" often included people with mental or physical disabilities, people who scored in the low ranges on different IQ tests, criminals and "deviants," and members of disfavored minority groups.