Eugenics...

What is...

Historical Examples

Eugenics...

Case study

This interactive poster explores the topic of Eugenics. Click on each tab to expand and learn more about different aspects of eugenics, from its historical background to its modern implications. Engage with interactive elements to uncover key facts, ethical debates, and scientific perspectives.

Prominent Figures

Ethical + Social Issues

Timeline

Eugenics + Science

Conclusion

Ethical and Social Issues Related to Eugenics

Eugenics was unethical because it violated individuals' rights, especially through practices like forced sterilization, denying people control over their own bodies. It targeted marginalized groups, including people with disabilities, racial minorities, and the poor, labeling them as "genetically unfit." This caused lasting harm by reinforcing harmful stereotypes and contributing to racial and social inequality. The legacy of eugenics continues to affect these communities, demonstrating the ethical dangers of using flawed science to justify discrimination.

Historical Examples of Eugenics

Forced Sterilization

Nazi Germany

Restrications

Black People and Eugenics

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Timeline of Eugenics

• 1883

• 1905

• 1907

• 1924

• 1930s

• 1970s

• 2000s

https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/educational-resources/timelines/eugenics

The word Eugenics is derived from the Greek word Eugenes. Meaning good in stock or good in birth.

https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/educational-resources/timelines/eugenics

Conclusion

Eugenics, once seen as a scientific and socially acceptable movement, left a horrible legacy of harm, discrimination, and ethical violations. The false and misleading belief that human genetics could be "improved" through selective breeding and the elimination of so-called "undesirable traits" led to widespread human rights abuses, including forced sterilizations, racial discrimination, and even genocide.While eugenics may no longer be accepted, its impact still resonates today in debates about genetic engineering, reproductive rights, and social inequality. As we continue to advance in genetic research and technology, it is crucial that we reflect on the ethical lessons of the past to ensure that we never repeat the mistakes of eugenics. Eugenics reminds us of the importance of valuing human diversity and respecting individual autonomy. It calls on us to think critically about how science and technology are used and to safeguard against their misuse in promoting discrimination or harm. By understanding this dark chapter in history, we can work towards a more equitable and compassionate future, one where all individuals, regardless of their genetic makeup, are treated with dignity and respect.

What is Eugenics?

The term "Eugenics" was first coined in 1883 by British scientist and explorer Francis Galton. Influenced by Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, eugenics promoted the idea of "improving" the human race through selective breeding. Supporters of eugenics believed they could eliminate so-called "undesirable traits" by controlling human reproduction.Eugenics became closely linked to Social Darwinism, the misapplication of evolutionary theory to justify racial and social hierarchies. Eugenicists carried out their beliefs through involuntary sterilization, segregation, and social exclusion. One of the most harmful ideologies of eugenics is scientific racism, a misleading belief that falsely claimed white Europeans were biologically superior to other racial groups. These ideas were used to justify discrimination, forced sterilization programs, and even genocide in the 20th century. https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Eugenics-and-Scientific-Racism

Buck vs. Bell

In 1927, Buck v. Bell ruled that states could forcibly sterilize people in public institutions. The Supreme Court decided (8-1) that conditions like "feeblemindedness, epilepsy, and imbecility" were inherited and should be prevented from passing to future generations. Carrie Buck, a young woman institutionalized in Virginia, was ordered to be sterilized under the 1924 Eugenical Sterilization Act because she, her mother, and her daughter were labeled "feebleminded." The Court argued this was for the good of society and did not violate the 14th Amendment. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. justified the decision by saying, "Three generations of imbeciles are enough." This case led to thousands of forced sterilizations across the U.S.

https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/buck-v-bell-1927 https://education.blogs.archives.gov/2017/05/02/buck-v-bell/

Prominent Figures

Josef Mengele

Francis Galton

Charles Davenport

Adolf Hilter

Franz Boas

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.