Question

This week, we are learning about issues surrounding human genetics and eugenics, including stem cell research, cloning, and genetic testing and treatment. Choose and describe a scientific technique or practice related to genetics and eugenics. Provide the rationale behind the use of this technique or practice. Discuss your thoughts and ideas regarding the technique or practice. Is it ever justifiable? Why or why not? Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings

Answer 1

“Eugenics (In Greek, good in birth)” is the science of the application of better breeding techniques to improve human race germplasm. Prenatal genetic testing is one form of the “eugenics.”

The genetic testing is an individual choice, means only people who want know about their risk of having a particular genetic disease or those that are at risk of developing a specific genetic condition might be tested for a genetic disease. The main types of prenatal genetic testing include,

1. Ultrasound
2. Amniocentesis
3. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

Using these techniques, one can identify a fetus with genetic abnormalities. If the parents don’t want to carry a baby with the genetic abnormalities, they can abort the child, means it is selection towards a genetically normal fetus.

“Eugenics (In Greek, good in birth)” is the science of the application of better breeding techniques to improve human race germplasm. Eugenics is classified into two types namely,

1. Positive eugenics
2. Negative eugenics.

Negative eugenics includes strategies to reduce unwanted pregnancies and births. Emergency contraceptives, sterilization, sex education in schools, sterilization of the mentally retarded people, sterilization of criminals, promoting the use of contraception are examples of negative eugenics.

Positive eugenics is the improvement of valuable genotype reproduction. Selective intensives for childbearing, taxation of childless, eugenic immigration, financial incentives to have children are examples of positive eugenics.

Peripherally, it may seem that selecting a human with certain good qualities and propagating that reproductive line is an effective way to improve the human race. But it is not only the genes that determine an individual’s phenotypes and behaviors, the environment equally plays a key role in this process. Also, eugenics may not always result in producing only the expected genotype, it may alter, which definitely disappoint the people who practice it.