Eugenics

Richard Lynn argues that the condemnation of eugenics in the second half of the 20th century went too far and offers a reassessment. The eugenic objectives of eliminating genetic diseases, increasing intelligence, and reducing personality disorders he argues, remain desirable and are achievable by h [...]
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Richard Lynn argues that the condemnation of eugenics in the second half of the 20th century went too far and offers a reassessment. The eugenic objectives of eliminating genetic diseases, increasing intelligence, and reducing personality disorders he argues, remain desirable and are achievable by human biotechnology. In this four-part analysis, Lynn begins with an account of the foundation of eugenics by Francis Galton and the rise and fall of eugenics in the 20th century. He then sets out historical formulations on this issue and discusses in detail the desirability of the new eugenics of biotechnology. After examining the classical approach of attempting to implement eugenics by altering reproduction, Lynn concludes that the policies of classical eugenics are not politically feasable in democratic societies. The new eugenics of human biotechnology - pre-natal diagnosis of embryos with genetic diseases, embryo selection and cloning - may be more likely than classic eugenics to evolve spontaneousely in western democracies. Lynn looks at the ethical issues of human biotechnologies and how they may be used by authoritarian states to promote state power.He predicts how eugenic policies and dysgenic processes are likely to affect geopolitics and the balance of power in the 21st century. Lynn offers a provocative analysis that should be of particular interest to psychologists, sociologists, demographers, and biologists concerned with issues of population change and intelligence.