Assignment:
What if an ideal in genetics could be attained? This is what eugenics is based on. According to the Center of Genetics (2018) and Society, eugenics is "...beliefs and practices aimed at producing human beings or populations with preferred or "better" characteristics" (para. 1). Roses and daisies can be seen in society today. Artificial selection is used by humans where we choose which individuals reproduce based on traits they wish to see increased in future generations, (e.g. food crops -corn, rice, wheat, peppers, etc.; livestock - cows, pigs, and chickens, animals - thoroughbred horses and award-winning dogs and cats; and flowers - roses and daisies). While designer babies are still science fiction (for now), some fertility institutes are using genetic screening to allow gender selection during in vitro fertilization (IVF). It is also possible to apply pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to screen for conditions like Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis, and Huntington's disease. These are just a few examples where eugenics is seen and used in the 21st century.
Reference
Center for Genetics and Society. (2018). Eugenics.
Research an area of society where eugenics is used and develop a response to the following question:
Should the use of PGD for cosmetic purposes (hair color, eye color, height, etc) be banned?
For interesting perspectives on multiple issues with selective reproduction, review the optional resource, Eugenics and the Ethics of Selective Reproduction by Wilkinson & Garrard.
Present your fact-based opinion and discuss with your peers.
Disclaimer During World War II a form of eugenics was used by the Nazis as a rationale for their treatment/mistreatment of people. This is not a topic available for discussion in this activity. Please be respectful of the discussions and your fellow classmates and keep topics to the impact of eugenics in the 21st century.