History And Theory Of Eugenics

The term Eugenics was first brought to existence in 1883 by Francis Galton. The theory was a moral philosophy used to improve the evolution of humans. This was done through encouraging the most healthy and able people to give birth to more children. The major goal of this was to improve the coming generation, influenced by Charles Darwin’s theory of “natural selection”, he said this system allowed some strains of blood and suitable races to have greater chances to thrive at a high speed over those said to be less suitable.

It was during WWI when many politicians and scientists started to support the theory of eugenics. Later in the 1930 and 1940s, the assumptions of this theory were underrated due to the criticism and also its said that Nazis used the theory of eugenics to support extermination practices of all the races. A scientist named Francis Galton believed that talent and intelligence were inherited genetically and that they were passed to the children. His theory originated from various basic ideas first, genetically, anything true about animals is also applicable to human. In the early days, there were many proposals for doing it. This theory is said to be controversial since it was used in the past to justify injustice and discrimination to those who were said to be genetically inferior and unhealthy (Goering).

Francis Galton developed two eugenics namely: negative and positive eugenics but the major issue was determining a healthy, inferior and genetically speaking person. Many opinions were brought up but they all differed and were not supported scientifically. Scientists argue that tampering with nature may come along with serious consequences though they are looking forward to improving what Francis Galton started. In conclusion, there is expectation of volatility in the eugenics theory in future because the concept has not clearly been brought to practice and scientists are devoting themselves to bringing the concept into light. Scientists think that in future they will be able to prevent children from inheriting disorder conditions from their parents. Others argue that this process of perfection will be driven by dangerous hubris (Sullivan and Ma). Gene therapy is being looked upon by some people who understand its advantage while others continues to criticize it.