Annotated Bibliography
In basic terms, eugenics has got to do with attempts to minimize human infirmities and frailties by deliberately partaking in the promotion of certain hereditary traits deemed desirable. This could be accomplished via selective mating. Proponents of the practice have pointed out that it comes in handy in attempts to weed out certain population characteristics that are undesirable (i.e. disabilities and diseases) hence effectively helping in the reduction of human suffering. It would, however, be prudent to note that there are those who happen to oppose the practice or concept of eugenics in its entirety. One leading argument against eugenics is that it would be hard to determine where exactly to stop in the pursuit for perfection. This is to say that the embrace of eugenics comes with the imposition of perfection standards that are largely arbitrary. This annotated bibliography will explore the nature and practice of eugenics through the eyes of multiple authors.
Allen, G. (2011). Eugenics and Modern Biology: Critiques of Eugenics, 19101945. Annals of Human Genetics, 75(3), 314-325.
The author of the present article makes a finding to the effect that there were quite a number of unsettling issues with the 20th century eugenics. Similar findings have been made by other authors identified in this annotation, such as Brack in Hume's Law and Genetic Engineering: Considering the Possible Implications of Positive Eugenics in Light of Our Horrific Past. It is, however, important to note that unlike the other articles that have been highlighted herein (which mainly focus on the ethical aspects), the author of the present article elects to focus on exactly what wrong from a biological perspective. The article will come in handy in attempts to demonstrate that with advances in technology, most of the cons of eugenics from a biological point of view have since been resolved.
Aultman, J.M. (2006). Eugenomics: Eugenics and Ethics in the 21st Century. Genomics, Society and Policy, 2(2), 28-49.
This is yet another instrumental resource in efforts to highlight the various ethical dilemmas in the practice of eugenics. In addition to pointing out the most crucial ethical dilemmas, the author of this particular text also assesses some of the social dilemmas that have been identified in this realm. In so doing, the author is able to demonstrate that there were numerous moral red flags in 20th centurys eugenic programs. Being aware of these red flags is a step in the right direction in as far as advancing the eugenics agenda in the 21st century is concerned. The ideas presented in this article will be instrumental in efforts to propose the approaches that stakeholders ought to embrace to ensure that the ethical concerns associated with eugenics are sufficiently addressed.
Anomaly, J. (2018). Defending Eugenics. Monash Bioethics Review, 35, 24-35.
From the onset, the author makes an interesting claim to the effect that we appear to be moving from a culture of child bearing as a consequence of sexual activity, to childbearing as a byproduct of rational parental choices. As a consequence, parents now have greater say in decisions relating to the health and wellbeing of the child even before it is born. I will use the article to demonstrate that this is not necessarily a bad thing. In essence, I will be using the article to promote the assertion that there is no justification, whatsoever, to roll the genetic dice by having children without thinking about the traits they will have (p. 25).
Brack, C.E. (2020). Hume's Law and Genetic Engineering: Considering the Possible Implications of Positive Eugenics in Light of Our Horrific Past. Inquiries Journal, 12(10), 11-17.
The author in this case blames the poor...
…address the concerns.
References
Allen, G. (2011). Eugenics and Modern Biology: Critiques of Eugenics, 19101945. Annals of Human Genetics, 75(3), 314-325.
Aultman, J.M. (2006). Eugenomics: Eugenics and Ethics in the 21st Century. Genomics, Society and Policy, 2(2), 28-49.
Anomaly, J. (2018). Defending Eugenics. Monash Bioethics Review, 35, 24-35.
Brack, C.E. (2020). Hume's Law and Genetic Engineering: Considering the Possible Implications of Positive Eugenics in Light of Our Horrific Past. Inquiries Journal, 12(10), 11-17.
Caplan, A.L., McGee, G. & Magnus, D. (1999). What is Immoral about Eugenics? BMJ, 319(7220), 12-18.
Cavaliere, G. (2018). Looking into the Shadow: The Eugenics Argument in Debates on Reproductive Technologies and Practices. Monash Bioethics Review, 36(3-4), 78-85.
Farber, S.A. (2008). U.S. Scientists' Role in the Eugenics Movement (19071939): A Contemporary Biologist's Perspective. Zebrafish, 5(4), 243-245.
Garver, K.L. & Garver, B. (1991). Eugenics: past, present, and the future. Am J Hum Genet, 49(5), 1109-1118.
Iredale, R. (2000). Eugenics and its Relevance to Contemporary Health Care. Nursing Ethics, 7(3), 44-51.
Jacob, A. (2012). Toward an Ethical Eugenics: The Case for Mandatory Preimplantation Genetic Selection. JONAS Healthcare Law, Ethics, and Regulation, 14(1), 7-13.
Kevles, D.J. (1999). Eugenics and Human Rights. British Medical Journal, 319(7202), 435-438.
Neri, D. (1999). On the concep of eugenics: preliminaries to a critical appraisal. Cad. Sade Pblica, 15(1), 27-34.
Pilgrim, D. (2008). The Eugenic Legacy in Psychology and Psychiatry. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 54(3), 272-284.
Ramsden, E. (2009). Confronting the Stigma of Eugenics: Genetics, Demography and the Problems of Population. Social Studies of Science, 39(6), 853-884.
Semach, T. (2015). The Ethics of the New Eugenics. Disability and Society, 30(8), 1295-1297.
Stolerman, K. (2017). The American Eugenics Movement: A Study of the Dispersal and Application of Radical Ideologies. Aisthesis, 8, 13-21.
Thomas, G.M. & Rothman, B.K. (2016). Keeping the Backdoor to Eugenics Ajar? Disability and the Future of Prenatal Screening. AMA J Ethics, 18(4), 406-415.
Vizcarrondo, F.E. (2014). Human Enhancement: The New Eugenics. Linacre Quarterly,…
