Eugenics

Human Genome Project

  •    A biology project that aims to determine the genetic influence on one’s personality (Social Behavior)

    • This Project leads the public to believe that crimes are influenced by genetic traits, and once it is accomplished and well-developed, it will lead to a reduction in crime.

  • FRANCIS GALTON (1822-1911)

    • He was the first to coin the term “Eugenics” in 1883, which means ‘truly’ or ‘purely’.

  • CHARLES B. DAVENPORT (1866-1944)

    • He redefined the term as ‘ science of the improvement of the human race by breeding’.

EUGENICS THEORY

  • Belief in the genetic inheritance of a large number of social traits.

Genetic

  • Mendelian Heredity- where complex traits were thought to be governed by one or two genes.

  • EUGENICS 2: ASPECTS OF THEIR WORK

    • 1ST: It sought to determine the pattern of inheritance.

    • 2ND: To conduct a social activity program (educate/enact social legislation.)

POLITICS AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCE

  • Eugenics holds power and influence in these 3 political areas:

    • IQ testing movement

    • Immigration Restriction Act 1921

    • Sterilization Laws

  • The ideologies influenced by eugenics gave birth to the idea of superior and inferior ‘being’ which was based on one’s bloodline or even nationality.

ECONOMY, POLITICS MILLIEUM OF EUGENICS

  • One of the solutions eugenics came up with to clean and have superiority was genocide. This event leads to numerous eliminations of ‘inferior’ or ‘valueless’ individuals.

  • The sterilization and Nazi genocide were one of its few examples. Euthanasia was also promoted during this time.