eugenics

[TBH]

What are your definitions of Eugenics? Is it when humans beings are no longer dependent on nature and enforce evolution on themselves or is it the attempt to apply science to the concept of a superior race highlighted as one of the shining examples of trying to exploit science as a means to further ones beliefs viewing it in the way hitler carried it out?

[Torvaig]

What are your definitions of Eugenics? Is it when humans beings are no longer dependent on nature and enforce evolution on themselves or is it the attempt to apply science to the concept of a superior race highlighted as one of the shining examples of trying to exploit science as a means to further ones beliefs viewing it in the way hitler carried it out?

Is there a definite definition of eugenics? There are many ways of applying the results of research into "choosing" the genes that are passed on to future generations. It is applied when choosing a sperm or egg donor so that the resulting embryo will possibly resemble its parents; something anyone who agrees with such a method of procreation is aware of.

But, as usual, the findings of our scientists can be put to detrimental use such as in the extreme experiments in America which was shared with German scientists long before the ethnic cleansing carried out by the Nazis.

There were experiments carried out on the population of California via coerced sterilisation and eventually more extreme selections were being made as in leaning towards the "perfect" human as being of Nordic origins and traits but that has been played down in the light of Nazi atrocities.

Maybe in America there was a thought that eugenics could be used to eradicate black people just as Hitler used them against the Jews and other Europeans.

Putting the extreme experiments aside, eugenics can be used to improve gene strains by eradicating the possibility of certain diseases etc., but where does it stop?:confused

[davem]

If you want a day to day definition of what it means, years ago I gave a lady with spina bifida a lift to a meeting where a Doctor confidently said that with all the advances in pre natal testing spina bifida would soon be eradicated.
I was 18 and didn't really think that anything said was too bad; until the tears streamed from this lady as she realised that he thought the world would be a better place if she hadn't been born.
I'd always been quite impressed by science and scientists until then!
Even before the forced sterilisations in the US and UK the whole workhouse /Asylum system was designed to prevent the less economically productive members of society multiplying.
Ultimately the whole idea that one person is of more or less value than another leads inevitably to injustice. My feeling is that a belief in Eugenics and the principles behind the UN Declaration on Human Rights are incompataible.

[Torvaig]

Davem, that's a sad story, poor woman. We often are guilty of thinking we are normal and anyone who is not similar to us is abnormal; such is the arrogance of the human race.

It is plain to see by the special groups that exist for people without the ability to be themselves in our society that we have a long way to go in integrating all into everyday life. Of course some people need special help and we have to train others to assist them but that should be as readily available as is our schools for educating the masses.

As with the new laws on access etc., for disabilities recently introduced maybe someday we will all be classed as normal instead of looking for ways to "perfect" the inhabitants of this world through genetic engineering. We have come a long way from just a generation ago in the way we treat others.

Not that long ago there were places specially run for unmarried mothers to go to have their babies and, in many cases, the babies were practically torn from their arms to be given up for adoption.

Then again if genetic engineering can make a vast improvement on the quality of life for all, where do we draw the line and who makes that decision....