Eugenics

Eugenics (Hebrew: אאוגניקה, Eugenika; Spanish: Eugenesia; German: Eugenik) is a set of beliefs and practices that aims to improve the genetic quality of the human population. It is a social philosophy advocating the improvement of human hereditary traits through various forms of intervention, including selective breeding, sterilization, and other forms of reproductive control. The term "eugenics" was coined in 1883 by British scientist Francis Galton, who was influenced by the ideas of his half-cousin Charles Darwin and his theory of natural selection. Eugenics gained prominence in the early 20th century, with various governments and institutions implementing policies aimed at promoting the reproduction of individuals with desirable traits and preventing the reproduction of those with undesirable traits. However, eugenics has been widely discredited due to its association with coercive and discriminatory practices, as well as its role in historical atrocities such as the Holocaust. The ethical implications of eugenics continue to be debated in the context of modern biotechnology and genetic engineering.