Eugenics Ethical Essay

The quality of the future population, and of ones own country in particular, should be a matter of deep concern to all. Throughout history, there have been numerous political leaders and scientific advancements aimed at modifying and bettering the human race. This process is completed through something infamously known as eugenics; the science used to control the selection of genes and reproduction. ‘The Cutie” by Greg Egan explores many underlying issues with eugenics, most notably the moral and ethical implications of the process. The science of eugenics may be considered ethical as its end goal is to better future generations; leaving behind desirable traits such as health, intelligence, and noble character; inversely, it may be considered unethical as it aims to create a perfect or superhuman being, not only ignores but violates human rights, and may be used for racial and genetic hygiene; a form of discrimination. It is for this that eugenics is considered to be a great ethical and moral failure in modern society.

Some claim that the ultimate goal of eugenics is a patriotic one; namely, to increase the commercial and fighting efficiency of a nation. Others, however, intend not to advocate it on these grounds, but would rather recommend it as a road to increased happiness; or, at any rate, as a means of preventing much unnecessary misery. Francis Galton whom coined the term defined eugenics as “the science of improvement of the human race germ plasm through “better breeding”’. Although this may sound like a positive advancement, consequently, those who do not meet certain requirements are eliminated, or at least, prevented from passing on their ‘infected’ genes to future generations. The possibility that someone may be reje...

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... have unwanted diseases or handicaps. Such laws are present in Cyprus, China, Japan, Israel and even the United States where, in some states, couples must undergo a blood test before getting married in order to reduce the spread of hereditary disease. These laws are unethical and are a violation of basic human rights.

If history provides a good lesson of what to do in the future, eugenics in the form of racial and genetic hygiene should not be practiced any further.

Galton argued in his hereditary genius that the intelligence of a population is a major component in its cultural, scientific, and economic achievements; that these are the defining characteristics of civilization; that civilization is better than barbarism; and that to maintain and promote an advanced civilization, the intelligence of the population needs to be improves and prevented from declining.