Eugenics Raises Moral And Ethical Questions

Part 1

Controversial Subject

Eugenics, meaning, “good birth” is a term coined by English born Sir Francis Galton. (1822 -1911) Galton was Cousin to fellow Englishman Charles Darwin (1809 -1882) who introduced Evolution to the world with his Work - Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection or The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life - published in 1859.

Darwin's ground-breaking work, a seminal, yet almost complete theory, initiated a controversy that continues to the present day.

Galton, interpreting his cousin Darwin literally, believed that society, by protecting and supporting the mentally and physically disadvantaged  members, thwarted the Natural Selection tendency of weeding out the sick and the weak.

Galton believed that by Society protecting the sick and weak and allowing them to procreate posed a threat to the advancement of Humanity. He hoped to find means and ways to ensure that healthier members of Society attain unfettered predominance.

Francis Galton believed that Humans could potently intervene in the process of Evolution. Via substituting natural selection by procedures that would improve the stock, yet coincidentally prevent mental and physical suffering. Galton's procedures included breeding exclusivly with the fit, and checking the birthrate of the unfit.

 Eugenics Is Not A New Concept

Along the passage of time, the idea of interfering with Nature in this manner had crossed the Minds of others, including Plato. Galton however, brought the subject into sharp public prominence.

Whereas it should be emphasized that while Francis Galton's intentions were well meaning it would not be long before less well intentioned entities were mindlessly misappropriating his social engineering agenda.
 
Galton's theory of interference with Natural Selection initially embraced by many - in contrast to his sundry worthwhile contributions in other fields - engendered controversy and activity of a much sinister nature than the research presented by his Naturalist cousin. Which had set in motion his train of Thinking.

Interfering With Nature

Eugenics is Humanities incompetent attempts to interfere with and influence it's own Gene Pool in various ways. Including, in the past, selective breeding, and more recently, Genetic Engineering.

Eugenics dubious and tarnished history, technically and ethically, is not exactly encouraging and leaves Eugenics vulnerable to valid claims that interfering with Evolution in this manner is utterly amoral.
 
Intervention in the form of gene manipulation does appear enticingly attractive as a means of disease eradication, or altering Human physical and mental characteristics.

However, we cannot be sure of the consequences of this type of interference over time. Evolution advances by means of mutation. Altering genetic structure to achieve it's ends.

Mutations in Nature have one of three effects. Detrimental, beneficial, or neutral. Prevailing conditions determine the consequences of each mutation. Controlling prevailing conditions is not yet within our grasp.

This raises Moral and Ethical questions that inform us in no uncertain terms to find solutions where we can predict the consequences and remain in beneficial Harmony with Nature.

Practical advice, in this situation, would be - Look but don't touch. Learning, until at least we definitely understand what the long term effects of interference will be.

At that point wise decisions can be made.

Playing Dice

In the early days of Chemistry it was not uncommon for would be Chemists to blow their workspace asunder. Perhaps to smithereens, in the course of discovering what happens when two or more substances were mixed together.

Reminiscent of the Roadrunner of cartoon fame, there is a comic and fun element to the exploits of these brave, but foolhardy early explorers.

Significantly, these hair raising incidences were isolated to the immediate area and participant/s. 

When we approach experimenting with the fundamental building blocks of life, particularly with no comprehension of long term effects, there is no comic or fun element.

We Humans are today in possession of technology that enables anyone with the expertise to employ it, to edit the Human Genome with the same 'precision' as does Nature Herself.

Unintended Consequences

 In the circumstances of Genome Editing, the term 'precision' should be considered with extreme caution. The unintended consequences of technology can be devastating. Bring to mind the life threatening pollution, generated by the internal combustion engine, as an easily comprehended example.

And dwell for a moment or two on the legislative nightmare enacted in an attempt to solve a technical problem that should have been dealt with at the time of this otherwise super useful invention's genesis. Gosh! almost forgot, nobody knew at the time, that invisible exhaust gas was a deadly poison.

The same sobering charge of insufficient subject knowledge can be directed at the promoters of Genetic Engineering.

The proliferation, of Genome Editing Technology, particularly commercially, without solutions, owing to a disregard for unintended consequences, is not merely irresponsible . . .

It is foolhardy tampering. Delivering the dangerous consequences of prematurely permitting Patents on Genome Editing Technology and products.

Even with the most honorable intentions the possibility of vitiating the process are extremely high. With nefarious intentions, vitiation is all but certain.

At this embryonic stage of Humanities understanding, regardless of intention, to assume we can eradicate disease, or bring about any desirable physical, or character, traits, or eliminate the undesirable, by altering our genetic structure, is playing dice with Humanities future.

Safe Alternative

There is nonetheless, a safe, side effect free, dependable alternative to such a rash venture. With the invaluable attraction of placing power where it rightly belongs – with the individual.

Instilling highly desirable Human qualities and traits, requires a sound, and reliable, tamper proof method.

'Natural Eugenics' provides Humanity the best hope of turning the tide of ignorance and neglect into freedom and opportunity for individuals.

Who in turn, by dint of right thinking, will restore our abused home and relations to vibrant health. The way it should be. All to be had for the price of careful vigilance towards, and practice of, Natural law.

Modern mind explorers have access to a wealth of information gathered from all manner of past Eugenics experiments and discovery.

The methods employed by, and the results obtained from, those particular methods, should provide clear guidelines to Thinking men and women, who consider morals, and ethics, as imperative to a healthy egalitarian future.

Eugenics Do Not Rock!

Part 1

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