Will Eugenics ever have a place in modern society?

[sexpot]

Eugenics is a set of beliefs and practices that are aimed at improving the genetic quality of a human population. It was first proposed around 400 B.C. by the philosopher Plato but the actual term "Eugenics" was coined by Francis Galton in 1883.

In recent society however, Eugenics has become closely linked with the National Socialist party and White Supremacists in general. Many war criminals at the Nuremburg trials attempted to defend their human rights abuse by comparing their programs to the ones of the USA.

The debate here is simple, do you believe that Eugenics will ever have a place in modern society?

THIS DEBATE ENDS ON THE 14TH JULY

For more information on the debate guidelines and how to win prizes see the guidelines thread here

[Sloths]

This debate is now open!!

[FlyingJesus]

I think a big problem with eugenics is that the word carries a lot of racist connotations. In reality, we all take part in it and always have done - humans are predisposed to seek out partners with the strongest genes (be it health, intelligence, physical beauty, or whatever) or at least the strongest that they can get.

It's never well received when full-on genetic manipulation is suggested because it means we have to openly accept that some people are "better" than others and society as a whole is massively against that idea. If for example someone were to suggest methods that eradicated Downs Syndrome, you would get a clamouring of people saying that it's disgusting to suggest that sufferers are in any way less human or don't have the same worth, but nobody (hopefully) gets pregnant with the express wish of having a Downs Syndrome baby and if they do they're a cruel person unfit for parenthood. To be clear I would absolutely never advocate for killing off any certain group of people or forcing "defective" foetuses to be destroyed or anything of that sort, but eradicating illnesses and other things that cause difficulty isn't an inherently bad thing. If I could ensure that my children were as well equipped for life as possible, why would I not want that?