Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has led to the development of numerous ideas, the effects of which are still evident today. One example of this is contemporary eugenics. What is the meaning of eugenics, and how does it impact modern society?
What is Eugenics?
The term eugenics is derived from the Greek words eu, meaning ‘good,’ and genēs, meaning ‘born’ or ‘origin.’ Together, they form the word eugenēs, which means ‘well-born.’ Eugenics refers to a set of beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of the human population and can be divided into positive and negative eugenics. Positive eugenics encourages the proliferation of desirable traits, while negative eugenics seeks to limit the transmission of undesirable traits.
Examples of Good Eugenics
The objectives of eugenics appear admirable, as they focus on enhancing the genetic qualities of the human race. In certain cases, this makes sense. The Bible states that when God presented the law to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, one of the commandments was to not engage in sexual relations with siblings.1 A similar law was issued by the Synod of Agde (present-day France) in 506, prohibiting marriages between cousins.
Modern science supports the reasoning behind these prohibitions. When parents are closely related, such as siblings or cousins, their offspring have a limited genetic pool, which increases the risk of genetic disorders.2 A well-known example of this is the so-called ‘Habsburg jaw’—a prominent lower lip and jaw that became common in the Habsburg dynasty, a result of frequent intermarriage among close relatives.
The Beginnings of Modern Eugenics
Certain principles intended to preserve or enhance the human gene pool have been thought to offer significant benefits, but the history of eugenics is fraught with deeply troubling practices. We will explore several specific examples from history. Eugenics, in its most disturbing forms, can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where practices such as infanticide were carried out against children deemed disabled.
Modern eugenics had less cruel beginnings, though its consequences were no less harmful. Its founding figure is considered to be Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911), a cousin of Charles Darwin. Galton developed his theory based on Darwin’s On the Origin of Species.
Galton observed that traits such as intelligence and hair color are inherited. He believed that through careful selection of partners, the genetic qualities of entire populations could be enhanced. He outlined his theory in several works, including Hereditary Genius (1869) and Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development (1883), where he introduced the term ‘eugenics’.
The Eugenics Movement
Galton’s ideas initially gained traction in Great Britain before spreading to mainland Europe and the United States. In the early 20th century, the eugenics movement took hold in the United States, where around 30 states enacted eugenic laws. In 1922, eugenicists established the American Eugenics Society3.
Eugenics also thrived in Germany, where it was particularly embraced by the Nazis. The Nazi regime took eugenic practices to the most extreme and horrific level, leading to widespread atrocities. This ultimately discredited the entire concept of eugenics. However, it is important to remember that eugenic practices were widely accepted in many other Western countries throughout the first half of the 20th century—and even beyond.
Eugenics in Practice
Nazi Germany not only exterminated millions of Jews, considered the lowest race (also genetically). Hitler’s regime also conducted horrific medical experiments on its victims to test its racist theories. Additionally, under a program called Aktion T4, tens of thousands of sterilizations were performed on people deemed disabled, and many were killed. More than 400,000 people were sterilized between 1933 and 19404.
Cruel eugenic practices were not confined to Germany. Forced sterilizations of individuals deemed disabled were also carried out in the United States, Canada, France, Scandinavian countries, Belgium, Brazil, Japan, and Australia. Between 1907 and 1963, an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 people were sterilized in the United States5. In Sweden, from 1934 to 1975, as many as 62,000 people were forcibly sterilized out of a population of just 6 million6. In interwar Poland, forced sterilization was introduced for alcoholics, and there were discussions about applying it to Jews. In some communist countries, sterilization was used as a tool against perceived enemies of the state.
Additionally, racial segregation was enforced in the southern United States, in part due to eugenic beliefs. Several states implemented laws banning interracial marriages and marriages with individuals deemed mentally disabled. The belief at the time was that the genes of non-white people could ‘contaminate’ the so-called superior genes of Anglo-Saxon (white) Americans7.
Eugenics and Modern Science
Ironically, modern science disproves these racist claims, revealing that the opposite is true. Scientists now understand that the best chances for producing healthy and strong offspring occur when partners come from diverse backgrounds. The greater the genetic diversity between both parents, the more opportunities there are for gene recombination, which lowers the risk of genetic diseases and leads to more resilient offspring.8
In fact, this could have been anticipated much earlier. Scientists’ findings are essentially a broader application of what has long been observed in closely related partners, where limited genetic diversity leads to poor outcomes—such as in the case of the Habsburgs.
Eugenics Has Not Disappeared
Eugenics has not disappeared; it has merely evolved. Today, with advancements in genetics and the challenges of rapid population growth, it takes on new forms. Concepts like ‘conscious parenthood’ and ‘eugenic abortion’ continue to spark intense debates in modern society.
More radical ideas have also emerged. Some scientists have even proposed global forced sterilization as a means to control population growth. Meanwhile, transhumanism advocates for the belief that genetic engineering could soon lead to the creation of genetically modified humans.10 These trends carry potential risks. Is there a possibility that the crimes driven by eugenic ideologies could resurface in the future?
Conclusion
Darwin’s and Galton’s theories contributed to both the intensification of racism and the implementation of eugenic programs aimed at people of color and those with mental disabilities. In contrast, if the biblical truth about humanity’s origin were upheld, such eugenic crimes might never have occurred. In God’s eyes, all people—including those with disabilities—are equal and deserving of equal treatment.
By the way, we recommend reading the articles:
- Exploring the Origins of Religion
- Scientists and Philosophers Who Found Faith in God
- What Happened to the Waters Above the Firmament?
- Human Races: A Scientific Perspective
- What is the Higgs Boson?
Footnotes
- The Bible, New King James Version, 1982, Leviticus 18:9.
- Helmenstine, A.M., 2020. Inbreeding: Definition and Genetic Effects. ThoughtCo. Available at: https://www.thoughtco.com/inbreeding-definition-effects-4171861.
- Still exists today, but under a different name: Society for Biodemography and Social Biology.
- Rosenberg, J., 2021. Sterilization in Nazi Germany. ThoughtCo. Available at: https://www.thoughtco.com/sterilization-in-nazi-germany-1779677.
- Purdom, G., 2010. What About Eugenics and Planned Parenthood? In: The New Answers Book 3. Answers in Genesis. Available at: https://answersingenesis.org/sanctity-of-life/eugenics/what-about-eugenics-and-planned-parenthood/.
- Balz, D., 1997. Sweden Sterilized Thousands of ‘Useless’ Citizens For Decades. The Washington Post, 29 August. Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1997/08/29/sweden-sterilized-thousands-of-useless-citizens-for-decades/3b9abaac-c2a6-4be9-9b77-a147f5dc841b/.
- Purdom, G., op. cit.
- Le Page, M., 2015. Want tall, smart children? Find an exotic stranger. New Scientist, 1 July. Available at: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27816-want-tall-smart-children-find-an-exotic-stranger/.
- Ehrlich, P.R., Ehrlich, A.H. and Holdren, J.P., 1977. Ecoscience. Population, Resources, Environment. W.H. Freeman.
- Bostrom, N., 2003. Human Genetic Enhancements: A Transhumanist Perspective. Journal of Value Inquiry, 37(4), pp.493-506. Available at: https://www.nickbostrom.com/ethics/genetic.html.
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