Since most of my article will talk about Eugenics before and during World War II, most of genetics at that time was unknown. Scientists did not even know the structure of DNA more or less how it coded for phenotypical traits, Biology's Central Dogma, or how to alter those genes to produce designed babies. However, the ramifications of pre-1950s Designer Baby technology--of any technology--that could be manipulated to favor certain phenotypes over others are still present today. Now, it is more and more likely that our research in genetic engineering could lead to genetically, and thus phenotypically, altered babies.
The Eugenics that I'm looking at was made up of Mendelian Genetics mixed with a good amount of pseudo-science. Eugenics proponents made up charts of families' genes which they would observe and study--complete with recessive and dominant alleles in the places they thought they would be. Although there were many who thought eugenics should be pursued in order to put an end to genetic disease, this meant, in thought and practice, sterilizing or euthanasia for those with an actual hereditary disease or disorder, or those merely deemed 'unfit' (survival of the fittest). Today, genetic research is being conducted to see if, indeed, we can truly design our babies. It is most likely that we have all eaten genetically modified food, now just envision that gene therapy transferred into the human genome. In Biology class this year we will be genetically modifying an E. Coli bacteria and making it phosphorescent. This is a very simple, but very effective, example of what we can do with genetic engineering and gene therapy. We could fix genetic disorders and hereditary diseases, but we could also create our children to be a certain way, one way, controlled. And just as the societal trends of racism, segregation, and favor of Nordic (what Hitler called Aryan) races over all others led to mass sterilization programs in America and horrible tests and euthanasia in Nazi Germany, so will today's social trends alter the course of Nature and make a separate group of children that will be, essentially, the products of society. That current ramification may or may not deter Americans, for there would certainly be many who would want to have those perfect children despite the fact that their children will automatically be a separate group. But can we blame those who would do it if they had the chance? Imagine the other extreme: having a child with Downs Syndrome or Muscular Distrophy or extremely bad Hemophilia.
As a result of such horrible genetic disorders, there are several Intstitutes part of the National Institutes of Health that are looking into gene therapy and genetic engineering as part of their programs: The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and most importantly The National Human Genome Research Institute. In addition to these actual institutes are private research projects that receive NIH funding and grants. The NIH and subsequent programs are focusing on the hereditary-disease prevention aspect of gene therapy, however, even though that is the current goal, Designer Baby technology could easily be developed in the process. A good article on that is from Time Magazine at
It touches on how the genetic-researching community views their work and goals, and some of the ethical implications these genetic advantages could pose. Of course, for me and many adults, genetic experimentation may bring to mind the history I touched upon earlier about Hitler'sNazi Germany and his euthanasia programs for the 'unfit,' weak, or feeble as a result of hereditary disorder or misevaluation, his concentration camps that separated the less-than from the Master Race, and the eugenics experiments that Mengele and other scientists performed on camp occupants in order to see if they could make the Master Race stronger and smarter and handsomer than the rest of the world. This article, although very opiniated, is historically accurate and very striking in its summary of negative eugenics:
One thing that may not be addressed in the cited news articles is the implications of eugenics on the natural course of the world. Already, we have seen the negative impact of Western civilization on nature: ecosystems, biomes...
the ozone layer, have all been negatively effected. Chemicals and pollutants have been put into the air we breathe and the earth. What might happen if man was even more intelligent, more capable, lived longer, and had more dominion over not only the rest of nature, but also the rest of his race?
So many implications could be discussed concerning eugenics and genetic engineering and above is a negative outlook on those areas of study/research. However, I could talk about how a vital part of eugenics was and is the prevention and elimination of hereditary disease. Imagine the millions of children that are subjected to these diseases and disorders, cast upon them by no fault of their own, with no way to cure the devastating effects these genetic mutations have on their bodies and minds. America's sterilization was an means to an end, and though it was horrible in many regards, it began good intentions that continue today through gene therapy and the like. Refer to this website for pro-Eugenics arguments and Eugenics info. then and now:
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