Oral Presentations - Session 1D: UC 331
Eugenics: Improvement of the Human Genome
Presentation Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Ivan Lorentzen
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Psychology
Abstract / Artist's Statement
There is an ongoing dichotomy in society between the autonomous rights of the individual and the collective rights of the people. Contained within this conflict is the topic of eugenics, defined as the improvement of a population via controlled reproduction in order to propagate desired heritable characteristics. In today's society, the idea may seem abhorrent and out of favor, but the pro-eugenics argument held sway in the United States in the early 1900's. This presentation will review the history and ethical justifications of the early eugenics movement, and examine its implications today. This becomes significant when considering the current political landscape as socialist movements arguably become more prevalent. Are we straying back toward the ideals that promoted such a mentality?
Eugenics: Improvement of the Human Genome
UC 331
There is an ongoing dichotomy in society between the autonomous rights of the individual and the collective rights of the people. Contained within this conflict is the topic of eugenics, defined as the improvement of a population via controlled reproduction in order to propagate desired heritable characteristics. In today's society, the idea may seem abhorrent and out of favor, but the pro-eugenics argument held sway in the United States in the early 1900's. This presentation will review the history and ethical justifications of the early eugenics movement, and examine its implications today. This becomes significant when considering the current political landscape as socialist movements arguably become more prevalent. Are we straying back toward the ideals that promoted such a mentality?