Miscellaneous Flashcards
Who coined the term “Eugenics” and what does this term mean?
Sir Francis Galton - 1883
Eugenics means “good in birth”
To improve human germplasm through better breeding.
Contrast “Positive” and “Negative” eugenic approaches and give examples of each.
Both negative and positive eugenic approaches involve controversial issues:
- Negative - Restrict reproduction of those considered “inferior”.
Ex. 1939: Nazis began killing 5000 children with birth defects or mental retardation followed by killing 70,000 “unfit” adults.
- Positive - Encourage those considered “acceptable” or “superior” to reproduce.
Ex. 1980s: California center for germinal choice established Nobel prize winners can deposit sperm to inseminate selected women.
Give some examples of policies/acts done by our government (state or federal) in the name of “eugenics” over the years and discuss the pros and cons of these activities
1896: Connecticut law forbidding sex with epileptics, feebleminded and “imbeciles”.
1907: US law ordering sterilization of institutionally mentally retarded males and criminal males.
1924: US immigration laws limit entry of “idiots, imbeciles, feebleminded, epileptics, insane”.
1990s: State laws passed to prevent health insurance and employers from discriminating based on genotype.
Define and give examples of each of the following terms: Euthenic
Euthenic:
Provide opportunites and experiences to improve quality of life without regard to genotype.
Ex. Public schools, public parks
Define and give examples of each of the following terms: Euphenic
Euphenic:
Altering phenotypes of individuals to improve their quality of life.
Ex. Plastic surgery, glasses, braces
Define and give examples of each of the following terms: Eugenic
Eugenic:
Improve quality of life by altering the gene pool to increase the frequency of good genes and decrease the frequency of bad genes.
Ex. Nazis killing “unfit” children and adults
