Trying to curb intelligence of past and future generations by scientific modifications has been prevalent since the eugenics movement of the early 20th century. This movement seeked to create a “master race” by improving genetic traits of humans through sterilization and selective breeding. There were laws set in place which forced people that were deemed “feeble minded” to be sterilized. These laws are long gone now as a result of a ban on sterilization laws from the United Nations in 1948 (Greenblatt). However, the thought of trying to control intelligence in people, whether to increase or prevent “dim witted minds” still remains in current thought. Genetic modification has since become another way for people to achieve this control. In the
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In 1927, in the case of Buck V. Bell, legitimized forced sterilization of patients at a home in Virginia for the intellectually disabled or persons that were deemed “feeble minded.”(Wolfe) In Buck V. Bell the opinion of the court had stated that they thought sterilization would help society as these patients would be unable to continue “their kind”. They did not want the mentally disabled to be able to reproduce and adding to the population with their genetics. Buck V. Bell reflects the eugenics movement as it shows how people wanted to control intelligence across generations by sterilizing people they deemed mentally unfit to produce. These ideas were not restricted to the United States as countries like Germany, Sweden, and Japan also sterilized people on the foundation that they were mentally unfit to have offspring (Greenblatt). Currently, there are patterns of similar thinking in regards to genetic engineering. The Center of Genetics and Society poses a question, “What happens if traits viewed as socially undesirable are merely problems to be solved in a system that makes ‘fitting the mold’ a biological possibility?” People are constantly trying to create “designer babies” with enhanced traits such as intelligence and physical fitness. If genetic engineering becomes the norm, the eugenics movement can be …show more content…
In a study titled “Public and Scientists’ Views on Science and Society,” by Pew Research Center, eighty three percent of people thought that genetic modification for babies to make the baby more intelligent was inappropriate and that it was taking medical advances way to far. (Figure 2) However, people were split on the topic of genetic modification to remove diseases. The importance of this information is that it underlines that a majority of people are not okay with genetically enhancing traits in a baby as it would give it an advantage in the world that many others would not have. The information also allows us to see that genetic modification to remove diseases is something might be favorable and not looked down upon by society. While enhancing traits such as intellect and physicality may be a detriment to society, removing diseases that pre borns can develop sounds enticing as it would help them lead a life worry free of getting sick from things like cancer or Alzheimer’s or any unfavorable form of
In 1927, in the case of Buck V. Bell, legitimized forced sterilization of patients at a home in Virginia for the intellectually disabled or persons that were deemed “feeble minded.”(Wolfe) In Buck V. Bell the opinion of the court had stated that they thought sterilization would help society as these patients would be unable to continue “their kind”. They did not want the mentally disabled to be able to reproduce and adding to the population with their genetics. Buck V. Bell reflects the eugenics movement as it shows how people wanted to control intelligence across generations by sterilizing people they deemed mentally unfit to produce. These ideas were not restricted to the United States as countries like Germany, Sweden, and Japan also sterilized people on the foundation that they were mentally unfit to have offspring (Greenblatt). Currently, there are patterns of similar thinking in regards to genetic engineering. The Center of Genetics and Society poses a question, “What happens if traits viewed as socially undesirable are merely problems to be solved in a system that makes ‘fitting the mold’ a biological possibility?” People are constantly trying to create “designer babies” with enhanced traits such as intelligence and physical fitness. If genetic engineering becomes the norm, the eugenics movement can be …show more content…
In a study titled “Public and Scientists’ Views on Science and Society,” by Pew Research Center, eighty three percent of people thought that genetic modification for babies to make the baby more intelligent was inappropriate and that it was taking medical advances way to far. (Figure 2) However, people were split on the topic of genetic modification to remove diseases. The importance of this information is that it underlines that a majority of people are not okay with genetically enhancing traits in a baby as it would give it an advantage in the world that many others would not have. The information also allows us to see that genetic modification to remove diseases is something might be favorable and not looked down upon by society. While enhancing traits such as intellect and physicality may be a detriment to society, removing diseases that pre borns can develop sounds enticing as it would help them lead a life worry free of getting sick from things like cancer or Alzheimer’s or any unfavorable form of