The Eugenics
Improving the genetic composition of the Human Race
‘’eugenics
noun
the study of how to arrange reproduction within a human population to increase the occurrence of heritable characteristics regarded as desirable. Developed largely by Sir Francis Galton as a method of improving the human race, eugenics was increasingly discredited as unscientific and racially biased during the 20th century, especially after the adoption of its doctrines by the Nazis in order to justify their treatment of Jews, disabled people, and other minority groups.’’ Definition from Oxford Languages
The eugenic movement had at heart the improvement of the genetic composition of the human race. The term Eugenics was used for the first time by the British scholar, Sir Francis Galton which means ‘well born’’. Galton was the cousin of the well known evolutionist, Charles Darwin. Upon reading Darwin’s book ‘On the Origins of Species’, where he explained that the populations evolve over the course of generations through the process of natural selection, Galton started wandering if this scientific theory applies for humans, as well as animals.
He considered that humans can contribute towards the their future by selectively breeding individuals that posses ‘ideal’ traits. Following his studies on the British upper class, he concluded that a higher status…
