Con Eugenics

Alveena Jacks Tyra Turner

What is Eugenics?
-Eugenics is the effort to apply the principles of genetics and agricultural breeding towards improving the human race.

Eugenics, a term meaning well born, was coined by Francis Galton in 1883.

What is Eugenics?

Eugenics emphasizes nature over nurture

Selective breeding

Embryo screening
Ethnic cleansing

Forms of Eugenics
Positive eugenics is a term describing Galtons interests in improving the human race through voluntary selective breeding Negative eugenics is seen as bad heredity and the attempts to stop those genes from spreading.

 Charles Benedict Davenport (right) is

History of Eugenics

seen as the American father of eugenics.

History of Eugenics
Eugenics started before scientists knew DNA carried genes.
The concept of eugenics arose amidst the industrial revolution. o During this time, a growing population believed that scientific progress could be used to cure all social problems. o Darwinian evolution was seen as the pruning of the population in order to maintain its health.

Concerns of Eugenicists

Eugenicists pushed for laws to forbid interracial marriages. Afraid of the lower class infection on the population. Degeneration

Use of Eugenics in the Government

During the first two decades of the 20th

century, eugenicists used false facts to create laws that restricted the influx of immigrants.

Sterilization

Involuntary sterilization was permitted in

1910 and 1930 in northern Europe, such as Denmark and Germany, and in the United States.
the Depression and during Nazi rule in Germany.

Tens of thousands were affected during

Use of Eugenics in the Government

in Indiana.

First eugenic sterilization law was passed

o Convinced sex offenders, habitual criminals,

epileptics, the feebleminded, and hereditary defectives to become sterile.

Buck vs. Bell

Eugenics in Todays Society

Eugenics in education Medical racism and discrimination Human genetic engineering

Who does this effect?

Marginalized people The mentally ill and disabled Minorities Everyone!

Morality ... Ethics

Discrimination Prejudice

Selectiveness
Nature vs Nurture

Thank you!

Sources

https://people.creighton.edu/~idc24708/Genes/Eugeni cs/History%20of%20Eugenics.htm http://exhibits.hsl.virginia.edu/eugenics/ http://www.nyu.edu/gsas/dept/philo/courses/bioethic s/Papers/GeneBook/CH2.html http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/kahales/pdfs/pdf sprot/mickloscarlsoneugenics.pdf