Eugenics.

[Atheist]

Can anyone explain what they think eugenics is? Preferably in cold scientific terms without expressing moral or social opinions.

[pixie374]

They can change the name... I doubt anyone would notice or care.

[dave50]

But in theory, if it was perfected so that there would be no inherited illnesses or defects, surely that would be a good thing wouldn't it and why is it considered morally superior to accept defects as human rather than wanting to eradicate them through selective breeding?

[Spicerack]

Mission creep. The Nazis rather tarnished its image during the war.

[jim360]

Perhaps part of the reason is that applying "selective breeding" to humans takes on a sinister tone, for at least two very good historical reasons. The first and most obvious is Nazism, but even if you regarded that as merely co-opting the principle for malicious ends, you still have the problem that eugenics was, from the very beginning, tied up in issues of class and race. It's difficult to see how to overcome that, because the other point of eugenics is that it claimed to be able to identify the desirable and undesirable elements based on external judgement, ie what a person looks like and how their life has transpired.

[jim360]

Oh, yes, and in any case the point is that the human experience is about far more than merely biological factors. Our future is not determined exclusively by our genetics.

[Old_Geezer]

But possibly less of an issue wrt disease and disability. Unless you fear that incomplete knowledge would result in the genetic baby being thrown out with the genetic bathwater.

But in any case, individual citizens understandably want to make their own choices so it ought not manage to ever become reality. Heck, you'll be telling me next that selective garmenting will allow a government to tell you that you must wear masks whether you like it or not ! Never going to happen is it.

[woofgang]

dave I don't think it is considered morally superior.... at least i have never met anybody who thinks that way. The way I see it is that there is a difference between offering people tools like gene testing and amniocentesis which can give them information and leaving the decision making to them. Eugenics is more about decisions and enforcement being applied regardless of the wishes and opinions of the people involved.

[Zacs-Master]

Well, I hope the answers at least help atheist see that it's impossible to separate politics and morals from eugenics.

[woofgang]

I think it might be possible to separate politics but not morals and certainly not ethics

[Zacs-Master]

Not sure on that one. It would be up to the govts of each country to say whether it was implemented.

[woofgang]

true

[Cloverjo]

This is horrible.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stop-selling-hatewear-sally-phillips-tells-amazon-vfn68km75

[woofgang]

yes, nasty.....well intentioned maybe but nasty

[Atheist]

Thanks for all the comments. I must say that I don't like the idea of certain people trying to influence the way that humans evolve. Nowadays, lots of younger people seem to think that they are immune from interference from those who seek to gather information on us and to manipulate us for their own benefit. I think they don't realise that this can lead to bad people using info for their own wicked ends. "If I'm innocent, then I don't mind letting the powers that be know all about me because I've done nothing wrong." But as Theland has said, they'll come for you one of these days. I don't want someone breeding me.

[woofgang]

you are assuming you are worth being used in the breeding program :)

[Spicerack]

this is v interesting, imo, Athiest. Doubt you'll watch it, lol.