Eugenics can be defined both as the science of human heredity, and a social philosophy that revolves around deliberate actions and policies designed to "improve" the human species through several means, including encouraging desired genetic traits and/or discouraging negative genetic traits. Sir Francis Galton coined the term "eugenics" in 1883 and developed many of the scientific and philosophical aspects associated with it. Over the next fifty years, this movement enjoyed widespread success and prestige all over the Western world, from the United States to Sweden and the United Kingdom-- and also in Nazi Germany, from which the majority of modern objections to eugenics derive.

I believe that the pursuit of eugenic ideals is still morally valid, despite the mistakes committed in the past. Both on a societal level and on an individual level, I believe that we have both a strong interest and a moral obligation to provide the best for our children. Whether this is the best healthcare, the best nutrition, the best education, or the best genetic foundation, we should take every reasonable step to ensure that our children and our neighbors' children have the best chance to be healthy, happy, and successful.

And I believe that there are ways that we can pursue these goals without violating human rights, or being distracted with foolish racist ideologies. First and foremost, we need to ensure a high standard of prenatal care for every pregnant woman. Even outside the context of universal healthcare, prenatal care is a sound investment in the wellbeing and productivity of future American citizens. Second, I believe that we need to improve access to reproductive technology, including abortion, temporary sterilization, prenatal genetic screening, fertility treatments, and eventually deliberate engineering. People who have the information to make eugenic choices and the means to do so will make eugenic choices more often than not.

These methods, however controversial, are widely considered acceptable, and, indeed, are often not regarded to be "eugenics" at all.

What I would like to propose for consideration are more directed-- but still strictly voluntary-- programs for the improvement of the genepool.

One idea I would like to see implemented is a larger scale version of the much maligned Repository for Germinal Choice, which was a sperm bank specifically for Nobel laureates and other individuals of demonstrably high IQ. I'd like to see this expanded to a weighted scale that includes IQ, actual intellectual accomplishments, measurable markers for physical fitness, athletic accomplishments, and known genetic traits. Further, I would like to see this program solicit donations of sperm and eggs from qualified donors, and subsidize use of this genetic material for fertility treatments in recipients who meet similar but more lax qualifications.

Second, I would like to see a general birth subsidy for married couples with incomes above the poverty line. Though this doesn't specifically target genetic fitness, statistically it will favor people more capable of producing and raising healthy and successful children-- not to mention help to counter the tendency of financially stable families to have fewer children. More importantly, this would establish at least a minor cultural precedent of recognizing that producing healthy children within stable families is something to be encouraged and celebrated, contrary to cultural values which view raising a large family with suspicion.

The third program I would like to see is paying people determined to be genetically unfit-- low intelligence, poor overall health, or identified genetic defects-- to voluntarily sterilize themselves. They would still retain the full choice in whether or not to do so, but it would make it easier for those already inclined to do so, and provide incentive for ones who are not committed to raising a family. Subsidizing temporary sterilization for anyone who requests it would have a similar effect, and allow people who are interested in having a family later, when they are more financially and domestically stable, to securely delay their reproduction and have a better chance of raising successful children later.

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Comments are welcome.

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I think this is all fine and dandy if it is done through private funding and organizations but the idea of the government getting involved and making things like this mandatory and subsidized would probably lead to untold amounts of unintended consequences. That being said I do not think these practices should be prohibited by the state in any way either.

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"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

I absolutely oppose making any part of this mandatory. Aside from issues of human rights-- which I am generally ambivalent about-- allowing people to refrain from any sort of eugenic program provides for an essential "control group" and provides further insurance against errors.

I would actually be happier to see multiple private organizations running programs such as this, with different goals and methodologies, with participants allowed to make use whichever programs they agree with and are qualified for. That would be the best solution eugenically, as it would provide more incentive for people qualified under more criteria, and it would maintain needed genetic diversity.

It would also ensure that there would be more coverage for different "desired" traits, since any such program is going to be prone to the biases and priorities of the people organizing it.

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Why does this sound so familiar? Why does it bring thoughts of a certain person that launched our planet into World War II to mind?


Just askin',

Johnny K

Because of the goal similarities?

BINGO!

Now, if I could only remember that guy's name, the name of that "goal," and the methods employed to acheive it...

,

Johnny K

Class distinction is the normal methodology. A subsidy to married couples earning above the poverty level and raising children being a good example.

I might include genocide, racial & religious bigotry, fear-mongering to that list of normal methodology. But that's JMHO.

Johnny K

I don't see why you're insisting on intelligence so much. AFAIK, there's no evidence that intelligence is hereditary. Additionally, I don't believe rich people are necessarily more intelligent than poor people. Maybe they are less principled.

Actually, I think there are several studies about intelligence and it's hereditary nature. IIRC, one of those studies shows some evidence that the intelligence is passed from the mother. I don't have any access to any database from home, but will look for some sources this week, if you are interested. There could also be plenty of sources showing intelligence is not hereditary, so I'll see what is out there in the literature...if I have the time and anyone is interested, that is. My best guess is that there is evidence showing there is an intelligence gene and evidence to the contrary. Just a guess, but I do recall reading those studies I mentioned above.

About the principled thing w.r.t. rich folk...heck...I don't think one's financial statements determine whether they have principles or not. There are poor dirtbags and there are rich dirtbags.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

I could've sworn that in teaching school they had studies showing that "intelligence" is mostly a result of effort and education, and has little to do with heredity.

Of course, when I google heredity and intelligence, I get goosestepper David Duke, so I'm not too convinced either way...

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Ask any Jewish mother for verification.

ROTFLMAO

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

What a really, really stupid idea.

ever heard of that bloke, you know the one who wanted to create a master race and all....

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I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire

There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. - Art of War, Sun-Tzu, Chapter 2, Paragraph 6

"An eye for an eye makes everyone blind"-Gandi

I had never heard of eugenics until a poster a while ago mentioned it. So, I had to look it up (see, there is usually a lot one can learn here at USPOL). It appears that their goal is to improve ALL of the human species; thus it is not Hitler-esque. At this point, I believe the eugenics idea is a pipe-dream, so I'm not into it.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition