GenderStudiers, how do you feel about Galton's view of eugenics?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics

The Eugenics movement came out earlier in the past century, and even though only its mere shadow still exists in our society today, it is a movement that had caused events such as the Holocaust. To put it bluntly, Eugenics is a thinking movement that considers the genetic health of the population. Galton's branch into eugenics connects race and social class as factors, but he believed that many people should be sterilized or kept separated from the 'good' social class and race. This man expressed in the past how people below working classes are impure and should be left out from surviving further into the next generations, for instance, and same way goes to anyone of the non-white race. What's your opinion on this, GSers?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Apart from the idea just being downright unsympathetic, I think it is also foolish. 

- genetic diversity is a strength, because situations change, and the genes currently deemed useful might at a later time turn out to be a burden (example: in times of famine, people whose bodies are frugal with their energy stores survive, but in current times, these people become obese; another example: a certain type of anemia is good for survival in Africa, because it lowers your chances of getting malaria)
- we do not know enough about genetics to make the decision (what is considered "junk dna" actually holds the code for psoriasis, among other things - we're FAR from done with determining the value of certain genes)

People with illnesses and weaknesses might very well be sorely needed at one time or another. 

Eugenics are short-sighted and arrogant.

Hobgoblin · Answer

Well I know the Nazi's practiced thier own brand of eugenics that caused the Holocaust like you mentioned

  I also know the pro abortion crowd can trace their roots back to eugenics in the early part of the 20th century . Cant remember the names of the parties responsible

If I were religious I would call it unholy.

 I don't think any human being alive or dead has the right to decide such a thing for all of humanity.

waterlin · Answer

i think it is frightening and repugnant.

how is the person or group chosen that is "fit" to make such decisions for every else?  how are the "good" social classes and races chosen?  what is to be done with those who don't make the cut?  are they to be sterilized or euthanized?  

i have done some reading about various eugenics programs, and i find them abhorrent.  i just don't think there is anyone (especially not anyone who would be interested in such programs) who is good enough, pure enough, and wise enough, to say who gets to live and reproduce and who does not.

i just think of concentration camps, forced sterilization, and lethal injections...many of those who would play god in this way (to me) seem more sub-human than those they would choose to eliminate from the gene pool.

Rawr · Answer

Passive eugenics, such as giving incentives for more successful people to breed can only be a good thing. Killing off people? That's just murder

padge61 · Answer

I think it's wrong to artificially manipulate the conditions for success.  I say leave them alone and let nature take its course.

If we breed into overweight pear-shaped brown people, so long as that is successful, so be it.

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GenderStudiers, how do you feel about Galton's view of eugenics?

5 Answers