Past Present Future The History of Bad Ideas: Eugenics
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Apr 25, 2024 
Adam Rutherford, a geneticist and science broadcaster, discusses the controversial topic of eugenics throughout history. They cover its origins, biases in data interpretation, the evolution of genetics, and modern reproductive technologies. They explore the complexities of genetic traits, the link between genetics and sports, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding eugenics.
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Eugenics: Scienceification of Old Ideas
- Eugenics is the 19th-century scientific formalization of old societal attempts to control reproduction for "better" qualities.
- Unlike earlier selective breeding, eugenics is characterized by a pseudo-scientific, state-sanctioned approach to reproductive control.
Eugenics as Power Maintenance
- Eugenics rose during periods of social upheaval, with elites fearing being outbred by perceived inferior groups.
- It served as a radical yet conservative attempt by elites to maintain their power by blaming biological causes for social problems.
Science Carries Cultural Biases
- Science is never purely neutral; it carries the cultural and political biases of its practitioners.
- Early eugenics science reinforced existing prejudices under a false guise of objectivity.