By Abinaya
Since the time of ancient Greece, humans have controlled reproduction, retaining “desirable traits” and removing others. However, in the 19th century, the discovery of evolution (Charles Darwin's theory) was misinterpreted into Eugenics.
Charles Darwin's theory states: that individuals in a population, or community, are more likely to survive if they are fit. (Natural selection) His theory on natural selection was entirely focused on an explanation of biological diversity. Yet many have used his theory to justify their belief in eugenics.
What is Eugenics?
Eugenics is the selection of desirable traits to improve future generations. Sterilization is the most common way of removing “undesirable traits.” Additionally, Eugenics comes from a place of prejudice. Meaning eugenics is targeted against POC and disabled people. We can see this time and time presented in our history, on how the privileged caste continues to control people who are placed at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
Disability; Timeline and Events:
Early 19th Century America: Thousands of Americans with disabilities have gone through sterilization procedures without their consent or being informed beforehand.
1927: Supreme court case (Buck v Bell) affirmed constitutionality that by Virginia's law state-enforced sterilization on inmates would be legal. The court argued that “imbecility, epilepsy, and feeblemindedness are hereditary, and that inmates should be prevented from passing these defects to the next generation” (Antonios via Raup) This case was never overturned.
1938 California: Sarah Rosas Garcia struggling as a widow of 9 kids, had her oldest daughter was picked up by local authorities. Due to reports of her skipping class and being promiscuous, she was sent to the state hospital (usual for juveniles). She was assigned an IQ test and was assigned a low score. The doctors via Authorities made their final verdict. That her daughter would be sterilized to prevent passing on what the state thought was “mental deficiency.” Sadly Sarah Garcia was one of the thousand POC targeted by the state’s relentless eugenics campaign.
How Eugenics will Never work
We can’t positively take out “desirable traits” because to each perspective there can be different answers. Adding on eugenics may lead to loss of genetic diversity and cause the gene pool to be extinct. Causing increased vulnerability to disease and many other factors.