A question about modern genetics and the inversion of eugenics...

[LiberadorHugo]

I know this may sound like a twisted idea, but hear me out...In the past, we did not have a proper body of science with regards to genetics. As a result, many people, including not only reactionaries, but also a number of well-meaning feminists, leftists, and Christian socialists took a position advocating that certain people should not breed or that the so-called races should be kept from interbreeding (the do-gooders naturally abandoned this position once proper scientific inquiry proved them dead wrong)...But given what we know about genetics today, can't we turn concepts like eugenics and master race on their head to conclude that the genetically superior population will end up being mixed-race and mixed-ethnicity? The easiest way to get rid of undesirable genes is to encourage humanity's collective gene pool to become as broad as possible, thus assuring that genes that cause health problems or otherwise weaken the mental and physical faculties of the human race are pushed to the fringes. I know that this happens naturally nowadays, and just about everybody thinks that it's a good think on a humanistic level, but is also has some very positive and exciting implications for the human race on the biological level. :-) I mean: Look at dogs...It is not the pure-bred show beasts that live the longest, healthiest, and happiest lives; but rather its the mutts, who by means of interbreeding among the various canine and lupine sub-species, were given the best genetic make-up possible. Looking at things from this perspective, it becomes clear the our human race will NEVER evolve to its full potential if we allow ourselves, our neighbours, and our compatriots to live in an unenlightened state of bigotry, intolerance, and parochialism. Do I have a good thing here, or have I just been smoking to much pot?

[enlightenment]

1. There is nothing inherently wrong with eugenics as a scientific concept.

It's the way people want to apply it that's the problem.

But I'm not sure you're talking about eugenics as much as sociology.

[ensho]

2. well you are wrong on pure bred dogs dying sooner then cross breeds

maybe you should read up some more on how genetics work.

[Lisa0825]

6. I don't know about life span, but there are many breed-related health problems...

for example, certain breeds have high incidences of hip dysplasia, which is less common in mixed breed dogs, even when they are around the same size and body shape as the breeds (such as golden retrievers).

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. As a female in the human species

let me say that there are a whole lot of things that I am far more interested in than a prospective mate's DNA sequence - and its implication for our possible offspring. I'm not breeding with a manipulative controlling abusive jerk who cannot support himself or his family. Especially if he has a tendency toward violence, poor hygiene, crime, general stupidity or chemical dependency. Matter of fact, I just might chose not to breed at all.

Eugenics is the stuff of test tubes and theory rather than relationships. Given the present population that makes it largely irrelevant.

[MilesColtrane]

4. "...it becomes clear the our human race will NEVER evolve to its full potential if we...

...allow ourselves, our neighbours, and our compatriots to live in an unenlightened state of bigotry, intolerance, and parochialism."

You can't force enlightenment on someone. You can only regulate bigoted behavior and try to educate people.
Those who govern have no interest in doing this though, as it goes against their interests.

[endthewar]

5. Technically speaking, race is a social construct, not a biological construct

That's normally taught in intro to Sociology classes. This point is perhaps best illustrated by noting that there are greater genetic differences WITHIN a single "race" than there are BETWEEN different "races" (as we define "race" in our society today). Also, it's interesting to note that depending on which country you live, your race classification could very well be different. For example, South Africa just recently decided to label people of Chinese ancestry as "black". Obviously this has nothing to do with their genetic makeup and everything to do with trying to assign social status.