Eugenics between Darwin’s Εra and the Holocaust

Boutlas, George; Chousou, Dimitra; Theodoridou, Daniela; Batistatou, Anna; Yapijakis, Christos; Syrrou, Maria

doi:10.12681/cjp.21061

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 37 publications

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“…As such, eugenics programmes were typically grounded in an inaccurate or unrealistic type of pseudoscience that manifested as genetic determinism. 11 While being grounded in unscientific assumptions does not necessarily make past eugenics programmes morally wrong, it does detract from their validity and is one of the potential points of distinction between such programmes and current practices in clinical and population genetics.…”

Section: Where Did Eugenics Go Wrong?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive carrier screening: responding to the eugenics critique

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Newson

2021

J Med Ethics

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Reproductive genetic carrier screening (RCS), when offered to anyone regardless of their family history or ancestry, has been subject to the critique that it is a form of eugenics. Eugenics describes a range of practices that seek to use the science of heredity to improve the genetic composition of a population group. The term is associated with a range of unethical programmes that were taken up in various countries during the 20th century. Contemporary practice in medical genetics has, understandably, distanced itself from such programmes. However, as RCS becomes more widespread, gains public funding and uses expanded gene panels, there are concerns that such programmes could be perceived as eugenic either in intent or outcome. The typical response to the eugenics critique of RCS is to emphasise the voluntary nature of both participating in screening and making subsequent reproductive choices. While safeguarding individuals’ freedom to choose in relation to screening is essential, we consider this response inadequate. By examining the specific ethical wrongs committed by eugenics in the past, we argue that to avoid the perception of RCS being a form of eugenics it is essential to attend to the broader normative context in which reproductive decisions occur. Furthermore, ethical RCS programmes must recognise and respond to their potential to shift societal norms that shape individual reproductive choices.

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Section: Where Did Eugenics Go Wrong?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive carrier screening: responding to the eugenics critique

Dive

Newson

2021

J Med Ethics

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Eugenics in Europe – the history of development and reasons for abandoning the doctrine of human selection on the European continent

Raposo¹

2023

European Chronicle

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The relevance of the study is the necessity to identify the reasons for the rejection of the knowledge of eugenics as a science and establish possible areas for the resumption of the science. In the modern world, there is a positive development in reproductive medicine, and biology and new methods of editing the human genome are being studied, which, in general, has become an urgent subject for discussion within the framework of eugenics. The purpose of the study is to identify the reasons why eugenics has almost disappeared from the study as a science on the European continent, and highlight new horizons for studying science and establishing new opportunities for reproducing methods that will affect the quality of life of people and people themselves. The historical context and prerequisites for the emergence of eugenics on the European continent were analysed, the basic principles of the practical implementation of its ideas in Europe before the end of World War II were determined, the position of science and its transition to genetics and bioethics were studied, the modern features of eugenics were highlighted, and the main trends that should be further developed in this area were established. The main methods that were used in the process of achieving this purpose include: the historical and genetic method, which allows fully considering the specific features of the emergence and development of eugenics; the comparative method, which compares the main characteristics of “old” and “new” eugenics; institutional approach, which helps to identify the main institutions involved in the study and implementation of eugenics ideas. The main results proved that in the modern world there is a place for the reproduction of the theory of human selection and that it can adopt various forms based on the political, socio-economic and cultural aspects of European states. In addition, it was highlighted that population development, mass migration, urbanisation and unstable features of the community were able to contribute to the spread of the ideas of “new” eugenics, which were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The main preconditions for the renewed interest in the study of eugenics in the modern world were highlighted, and it was demonstrated that modern eugenics is closely related to genetics, bioethics and transhumanism. The significance of the study is to continue the development and dissemination of eugenics, the study of which should be performed using genetics, bioengineering and bioethics. The establishment and implementation of the latest theories of eugenics, considering modern technologies, will allow for more precise research, which can later be used to solve genetic problems

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Eugenics between Darwin’s Εra and the Holocaust

Cited by 2 publications

References 37 publications

Reproductive carrier screening: responding to the eugenics critique

Reproductive carrier screening: responding to the eugenics critique

Eugenics in Europe – the history of development and reasons for abandoning the doctrine of human selection on the European continent

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