NATS 1775 Lecture 12: eugenics
7 Mar 2012
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Document Summary
Social darwinism - this was a theory that survival of the fittest can also be applied to the social world. Those who are able to succeed and progress are most likely able to do so by some genetic advantage. Eugenics - a science that allowed humans to control and command their own evolution- ary progress as a species. It was believed that through control of reproductive decisions, certain social goals could be achieved. Positive eugenics was about getting superior humans (those considered to be ge- netically advantageous) in society to have as many children as possible, so that they could progress the human race. Negative eugenics was about finding out people who were considered to be geneti- cally unfit, and forcing them to not have children (sterilization) This movement started to gain popularity in the 20th century. Cold spring harbor was the leader of this movement. Charles davenport was in charge of this movement.
