Darwin Day Talk – Eugenics: The Past, the Present, and the Future

(Rescheduled from an earlier date)

The term “eugenics” was a word coined by Francis Galton (Charles Darwin’s cousin) to describe the “science of improving human stock” by encouraging the reproduction of the “more suitable races,” so that they would prevail over the “less suitable races.” This so-called “science,” based on poor and incomplete knowledge of genetics, was subverted by individuals with their own political and social agendas, which ultimately led to the justification for the wholesale liquidation of groups. Despite the revulsion and repudiation of the practice of eugenics by world opinion following the revelation of Nazi excesses, some form of it is re-emerging in the wake of recent advances in knowledge and technological capabilities in genetic and reproductive sciences.

Elaine Winshell, who is a friend and frequent visitor at the EHST, will address these issues. She holds a PhD in Microbiology from Columbia University. She is a Professor of Biology at Ramapo College in New Jersey, and is a former Dean of the School of Theoretical and Applied Science. She will talk about not only what has happened, what is currently happening, and what could happen with the new genetic technologies; she will also ask whether society should permit these new technologies to proceed without restraint/regulation. Near the end of her talk, she will ask us whether there are “liberal eugenics” and discuss the unintended consequences of the new genome and genetic technology.  Some examples: Sex selection + abortion, screening for genes that are associated with a particular disease (Tay-Sachs), Down syndrome, followed by abortion, screening for height, athleticism, intellectual ability, and other traits that require multiple genes, as well as correcting an error in the DNA code (CRISPR/cas) in a germ cell or a somatic cell.

Come join us for what promises to be an interesting and thought-provoking subject.