Kelsey Haack

Dr. Barton
Great Misunderstandings of Biology
7 December 2017

Eugenics: Basic Human Rights Protections and Morality Issues

The Declaration of Independence states, “All men are created equal [and]

endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights (US 1776). The right to

reproduce is included under this umbrella of rights central to the basic principle of

freedom. It was unjust and horrendous for “undesirables” in society to be forcefully

sterilized (Ko). The belief in the efficacy of eugenics remains a problem today, despite

it being morally wrong and scientifically flawed.

The goal of eugenics is to create a better standard among humans. Individuals with

what are seen as “bad” genes are not allowed to reproduce for the greater good of

human beings. Extraordinarily flawed and bias approaches are utilized to weed out the

supposed inferior genes present in people. Identifiers such as race, low social class,

and criminality often represent defective genes for those who support eugenics.

Although this practice seems archaic, examples can be found in today’s society.

Abortions of babies tested positive for Down Syndrome are rampant (Douthat,

“Eugenics”). Additionally, the presidential race in 2016 illustrates Trump’s “white

identity politics” (Douthat, “Race and Class”). Trump promotes the inferiority of

Muslims and Mexican immigrants through his words and actions. This is the same

logic and superiority complex associated with eugenics. With the perpetual

advancement of technology such as CRISPR, more ethical questions are bound to

arise. CRISPR allows the editing of genes and has the potential to re-raise questions

of the implementation of eugenics. As King writes, “Eugenics is an inevitable

consequence of the advance of the science of genetics”(King). It is highly unlikely

researching genetics will stop, so people need to be prepared for its consequences. For
this reason, the moral wrongs of eugenics need to be clearly identified, so history will

not bear witness to forced sterilization again.

Misapplication of stringent scientific principles leads to a plethora of problems.

Fear can be unpredictable and cause people to do many unnatural things. Eugenics is

based on the unfounded fear that those of a particular skin color or those in a poor

financial situation are worth less. This is not the case. However, due to the irrational

fears that plague the mind, the science behind eugenics has become authenticated to

many people. Science should be based on facts, data, or observation; it should strive

for accuracy, clarity, and relevance. Eugenics does not follow these basic principles of

science. It is difficult to define the traits people possess, and eugenics does not take

into account the nature verses nurture debate. It poses a significant problem that

environmental and social influences are ignored. Genetics is also a complicated matter

and pinning down one specific gene to define a trait is an oversimplification. Eugenics

presents a number of concerns because it does not properly adhere to scientific

principles.

Eugenics does not simply impact the people living today, but humanity as a

whole. When one compromise is made to alleviate a fear, it sets a future precedent.

Basic human rights have been violated in the name of the scientific good through

eugenics. If eugenics is deemed socially acceptable now, future generations will be

affected. The course of human history will be changed forever because humanity’s

inability to be unbias of those different from themselves. Eugenics is a slippery slope

not only for the protection of rights, but for the integrity of science and knowledge.

Information not rooted in correct scientific ideas and principles should not have a

place in the scientific community. This could lead to the widespread use of improper
scientific practices to accomplish personal goals and agendas. If not corralled,

eugenics will have many adverse consequences.

Although eugenics has the potential to create a myriad of problems, they can be

avoided. The most important method to accomplish this is to dispel any notion of the

authenticity of eugenics. Eugenics is a pseudoscience and deserves to be treated as

such to avoid the violation of innate rights. According to an article detailing the

relationship between eugenics and Nazisim, “Today, the term ‘eugenics’ is

inseparable in the the public consciousness [from] Nazism” (Smith). Eugenics was

originally eliminated as an unpopular idea because Hitler became an avid

spokesperson for it. As a result, society as a whole jumped a gap from acceptance to

complete horror. The crucial step of understanding exactly why eugenics was

pseudoscience never occurred. People never learned that genetics cannot fully explain

the underlying cause of human social problems. It also can never be certain of the

accuracies of survey and statistical methods involved in research. In order to fill the

gap of knowledge Hitler created, the public must be educated on the matter of

eugenics.

The driving force behind the promotion of eugenics is the betterment of mankind.

Eugenics presents an easy solution to eliminate criminals, alcoholism, and pauperism

in society. People want to live in a utopia with the best and the brightest the world has

to offer; however, this is not realistic. Eugenics is not the answer to solving all of

humanity’s problems. Instead, social programs should be put into place to aid those in

need. Rehabilitation centers rather than prolonged jail time would help decrease

prison rates. Ensuring people realize healthy ways of coping exist would help

alcoholism rates. Giving aid to those who need money in tough times and allowing
people opportunities to support themselves would decrease pauperism. Realistic moral

alternatives exist to instituting eugenics.

Eugenic science is flawed and it presents many future issues, but society’s

problems can be decreased in other manners. Everyone has the ability to create

change in their own unique way. The misrepresentation and gross violation of humans

rights through eugenics can feasibly be halted. People need to understand the horrors

of eugenics and that it persists in today’s world. They need to help friends, neighbors,

and strangers who society claims have “bad” genes. An unbias atmosphere where

people are treated as equals despite their superficial differences is achievable. The

process to create that world starts one person at a time.

 Works Citied

Douthat, Ross. “Eugenics, Past and Future.” Sunday Review, The New York Times, 9

June 2012.

---. Race and Class and What Happened in 2016. The New York Times, 29 Nov.

2017.

King, David. “The Persistence of Eugenics.” Human Eugenics Alert.

Ko, Lisa. Unwanted Sterilization and Eugenics Programs in the United States. Public

Broadcasting Service, 29 Jan. 2016.

Smith, Amanda. “Plato, Nazism, CRISPR: The long shadow of eugenics.” Radio

National, 17 Apr. 2016.