Human Development
Human genetic improvement
Description:
Although natural selection operating on spontaneously occurring variations would possibly improve the human condition in time, by suitable selection and manipulation of the genetic make-up, both the physical and psychological aspects of human beings can be intentionally improved. The term eugenics is applied to theories and practices designed to improve the human condition from a genetic point of view and particularly by eliminating hereditary defects and diseases; conversely, dysgenics applies to prevention of the decline of the human race. Genetic counselling aims to improve mankind as a species by discouraging reproduction among those likely to perpetuate genes that lead to physical or behavioural defects. Genetic selection may be accomplished by withholding job and other opportunities from groups whose genes are considered undesirable. Such techniques have been used by governments as an instrument of racial advancement and purification.Thus, negative eugenics, or dysgenics, is the use of techniques to eliminate undesirable characteristics; positive eugenics aims to increase the frequency of superior hereditary endowments. Use of such techniques is considered necessary (even urgent) as a means of counterbalancing both the unchecked increase in mankind's genetic load (namely the deviation of observed fitness from the optimum), and the probable increase in mutation rates due to increased exposure to radiation.
All aspects of this approach are matters of controversy, whether due to lack of consensus on the characteristics to be eliminated or encouraged, or to the means of preventing undesirable reproduction or encouraging desirable reproduction, or to the human rights issues associated with these issues, or to the urgency of the question, if any. Particular controversy has been raised over the possibilities of [cloning] exceptionally gifted people, the use of host mothers, and the abortion of defective foetuses.
Many claim that nature has its own dysgenic methods and that non-interference in the laws of natural selection (apart from the relief of pain) would produce the desired result - the infirm (particularly the very old and the very young) would die naturally, unfit foetuses would not be brought to term, and biologically infertile couples would not produce babies. It is also claimed that active interference in natural selection might cause as yet unimagined genetic problems.