Definition

Noun (used with a singular verb) 1. The study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population, especially by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics). It is a social philosophy advocating for the use of practices aimed at improving the genetic composition of a population.

Usage

• Important Note: The term "eugenics" is almost always used in a historical, critical, or sociological context. It refers to a set of beliefs and practices, now widely discredited and considered unethical, that were prominent in the early 20th century.
• It functions as a singular noun (e.g., ), despite its "-ics" ending.
• It is typically preceded by articles like "the" or possessive pronouns.

Examples

• Historical Context:
  • The pseudoscience of eugenics influenced immigration laws and social policies in several countries.
  • Many early geneticists were associated with the eugenics movement.
• Critical Discussion:
  • The book examines the dark history of eugenics and its consequences.
  • Modern genetics has firmly rejected the principles of eugenics.

Advanced Usage

• "negative eugenics": Practices aimed at reducing the reproduction of people considered to have undesirable hereditary traits, often through segregation, sterilization, or other coercive measures.
  • Forced sterilization programs were a brutal form of negative eugenics.
• "positive eugenics": Practices aimed at encouraging the reproduction of people considered to have desirable traits.
  • "Fitter Family" contests at state fairs were a manifestation of positive eugenics in the United States.
• "modern eugenics" or "new eugenics": A term sometimes used critically to discuss contemporary technologies like genetic screening or embryo selection, drawing an ethical parallel to historical eugenic ideologies.
  • Some bioethicists warn that certain applications of genetic engineering could lead to a form of new eugenics.

Variants and Related Words

• Eugenic (adjective): Of or relating to eugenics.
  • They promoted eugenic policies.
• Eugenicist (noun): An advocate or practitioner of eugenics.
  • He was a leading eugenicist of his time.
• Eugenically (adverb): In a eugenic manner.
  • The program was designed eugenically.

Synonyms

• Selective breeding (when applied to humans, this is a descriptive synonym for the concept).
• Racial hygiene (a historical term, closely associated with Nazi ideology).
• Hereditary improvement (an older, descriptive term).

Antonyms

• Dysgenics (a theoretical term for the supposed study of the deterioration of genetic qualities in a population; also considered a pseudoscience).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Social Darwinism": While not synonymous, this 19th-century social theory was a key intellectual precursor to eugenics, applying concepts of "survival of the fittest" to human societies.
• "The perfect baby": A phrase used in ethical debates that can evoke eugenic concerns about selecting for specific genetic traits.

Noun

1. the study of methods of improving genetic qualities by selective breeding (especially as applied to human mating)