Science Of Eugenics example essay topic

The roots of eugenics can be traced back to Britain in the early 1880's when Sir Francis Galton generated the term from the Greek word for "well-born". He defined eugenics as the science of improving stock, whether human or animal. According to the American Eugenics Movement, today's study of eugenics has many similarities to studies done in the early 20th century. Back then, "Eugenics was, quite literally, an effort to breed better human beings - by encouraging the reproduction of people with 'good' genes and discouraging those with 'bad' genes". (web) According to Merriam-Webster, the modern day definition of eugenics is, a science that deals with the improvement (as by control of human mating) of hereditary qualities of a race or breed. The topic of eugenics is a controversial one, but through research it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects. In 1926, the American Eugenics Society was founded by Harry Crampton, Harry H. Laughlin, Madison Grant, and Henry Fairfield Osborn.

The main goal of the organization was to distribute accurate scientific information on genetic health, draw attention to eugenics, and promote eugenic research. "Between 1907 and 1937 thirty-two states required sterilization of various citizens viewed as undesirable: the mentally ill or handicapped, those convicted of sexual, drug, or alcohol crimes and others viewed as degenerate' (Larson). In late 1994, The Bell Curve was published. The research quoted in the book is taken mostly from members of the American Eugenics Society and other eugenics groups.

"The book concludes that all men are not equal, and that the Declaration of Independence is badly worded". (Clements) The book was generally praised by conservatives and attacked by liberals. The summary of eugenics, was on the best seller list for weeks. In modern society, eugenics most recently became a hot topic when scientists announced the first successful cloning of Dolly the sheep.

Dolly had the exact genetic make up as her mother. This revelation immediately got people talking about the possibility of cloning humans. "If cloning research were pursued, it has been estimated that human cloning could become a practical reality within the next one to two decades". (Pearson) Some negative aspects of eugenics include reducing the fertility of persons suffering from low intelligence and physical defects that are deemed as undesirable, and can be passed on to future generations. At the same time, cloning could operate as a form of positive eugenics, increasing the number of births of babies with excellent health and high intelligence. One thing that many people disagree upon is whether or not eugenics and genetic cloning is ethically right or wrong.

On one hand, it could eliminate children being born with life threatening diseases by forewarning parents of potential medical problems. "It is known that hemophilia, albinism, and certain structural abnormalities are inheritable. Family gene maps, called pedigrees, can help families with serious diseases avoid having children with the same diseases through genetic counseling, and, increasingly, prospective parents can be tested directly for the presence of undesired genes". (Prothero) Another possible use of genetics could be the production of healthy organs. For example, heart disease is one of the top causes of death in the United States. Scientists predict that they will someday be able to clone healthy heart cells and inject them into damaged areas of the heart to cure defects.

There is also a possibility that doctors will be able to take healthy cells and tissue from a patient's body and use them to create organs. This would eliminate the need for organ donor waiting lists. People would no longer be facing early death because there is not a healthy heart or other organ available to them. At the same time, some people question if it is morally right to, in terms, "play god". Some go as far as calling eugenics "scientific racism".

They compare the science of eugenics to the time of the Nazi's when selective breeding took place to generate desired characteristics (blonde hair and blue eyes) in offspring. "In the twentieth century, eugenics led to the introduction of policies such as sterilization, marriage laws, immigration restriction, and the institutional segregation of the mentally ill and mentally handicapped" (Rafter). Another argument of critics of eugenics is that it is impossible to agree upon which traits we want, so therefore, the entire venture is impossible. However, eugenic supporters feel that it's absolutely predictable that people will choose traits such as good health, intelligence, beauty, talent, kindness, and honesty for our children because these are universally valued traits. All over the world people value these qualities in a person.

But all people having these traits would take away the diversity that we as Americans pride ourselves on. In conclusion, the science of eugenics has both positive and negative characteristics. Because it is such a debated subject, it is hard to say if it will ever come into full existence in modern society. "Fear is a powerful motivator, and a powerful deterrent.

What is done today will greatly affect tomorrow". (Clements) No matter what happens though, genetic studies will always be an important part of medical science and research. Rafter, Nicole Hahn. "Creating Born Criminals". University of Illinois Press.

1997. Proquest. Creating Born Criminals, by Nicole Hahn Rafter. Chicago, Illinois, University of Illinois Press, 1997. Pearson, Roger. "The Case FOR Cloning".

The Mankind Quarterly. Spring 1998. Proquest. Pages 69-73.

The Case FOR Cloning By Roger Pearson Institute for the Study of Man This paper originally appeared in The Mankind Quarterly, vol. 38, number 3, pp. 69-73 Scott-Townsend Publishers, Washington DC., Spring 1998 Prothero, Stephen. "Bad Science, Misplaced Faith". Wall Street Journal. 22 April 2004, Proquest.

Page D. 10. Bad Science, Misplaced Faith Stephen Prothero. Wall Street Journal. (Eastern edition). New York, N.Y. : Apr 22, 2004. pg. D. 10 Larson, Edward J. "Belated Progress: The Enactment of Eugenic Legislation in Georgia".

Journal of History of Medicine and Allied Sciences. January 1991. Proquest. Pages 44-64. Clements, Colleen. "The new eugenics: bioethics has its own ideology hostile to genetics and accepts, on faith alone, the feasibility of creating social environments which can cure all problems".

Medical Post. 5 March 2002. Proquest. Vol. 38, Iss.

9; p. 13. Image Archive on The American Eugenics Movement. web "The politics of eugenics". Canada & the World. Oct 1993.

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