Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Pertaining to or causing improvement in the offspring produced: Relating to the study or practice of attempting to improve the genetic quality of a human population, typically by selective breeding or other controlled means.

Usage

The adjective "eugenic" is used to describe principles, practices, policies, or ideas aimed at improving the genetic composition of a population. It is most commonly used in scientific, historical, and ethical discussions.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The early 20th century saw the rise of eugenic ideologies in many countries.
  • She wrote a paper critiquing the ethical implications of eugenic science.
  • Laws based on eugenic theories have been widely discredited and repealed.

Advanced Usage

• "Eugenic thinking": A mindset or framework that applies principles of genetic improvement to human populations.
  • The policy was a product of outdated eugenic thinking.
• "Eugenic goal": An objective intended to achieve genetic improvement.
  • The program was initiated with a eugenic goal in mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Eugenics (noun): The study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population by such means.
  • The history of eugenics is a cautionary tale.
• Eugenically (adverb): In a manner relating to eugenics.
  • The policy was eugenically motivated.
• Eugenicist (noun): A person who studies or advocates for eugenics.
  • He was a prominent eugenicist of his time.

Synonyms

• Genetic improvement (noun phrase): The enhancement of hereditary traits.
• Selective breeding (noun phrase): The process of choosing specific organisms to breed for desired characteristics.

Antonyms

• Dysgenic (adjective): Tending to promote the survival or propagation of genetic traits considered undesirable.
  • Some argued that social welfare programs were dysgenic.

Related Phrases and Contexts

• "Eugenic movement": A historical social and political campaign advocating for eugenic policies.
  • The eugenic movement gained significant traction in the early 1900s.
• "Eugenic sterilization": The practice of sterilizing individuals deemed to have undesirable genetic traits to prevent them from reproducing.
  • Eugenic sterilization laws led to the forced sterilization of thousands.

Adjective

1. pertaining to or causing improvement in the offspring produced