Where did we get the idea of Eugenics?

Where did we get the idea of Eugenics?

The ascribed value of human life is perhaps a most notable outcrop of the philosophical garden of a man. Perhaps the two most distinguishably diverse frameworks supporting these presuppositions are Darwinian macro-evolution and conversely the Biblical origin of life revealed through a historical grammatical (literal) reading of the creation account in book of Genesis. When discussing the value of life we must directly observe each framework’s cause for the origin of life. Darwinian evolution ascribes a mysterious transformation from nonliving chemicals subsequently followed by plethora of randomly mutated life forms of compounding traits as the origin of man. Contrarily, a Biblical philosophy is grounded upon a personal Creator. Therefore human value is governed upon an “unalienable right” given by God, because “God created man in His own image.” (Gen 1:27)

When asserting the effects in social behavior in a field such as eugenics it becomes apparent how quickly these frameworks contradict. The Eugenics movement can be traced back to Fancis Galton who coined the term in 1883 referring to a “moral philosophy to improve humanity by encouraging the ablest and healthiest people to have more children.” [1] In Galton’s ideal the evolutionary interpretation of natural selection was being helped along by those most fit to recognize its preeminent benefits to humanity. This Ideology was evident in the sterilization movement of the 1920-30’s in America. The first law was passed in Indiana through the influence of Harry Clay Sharp. Sharp wanted vasectomies used to “prevent the transmission of degenerate traits” of prisoners, an apparent outcrop of the Evolutionary mindset. [2] This practice was legalized in 30 states, and eventually practice on citizens deemed mentally ill was legalized in the landmark Buck vs. Bell case. It is no surprise that this ideology spread most quickly and thoroughly among nations who had adopted a Darwinian model of origin. Although, in the case of Buck vs. Bell the supporting scientific evidence was later found to be fraudulent and flawed, over 60,000 Americans were forcibly sterilized through the 1970's. The value of life controversy continues to be battled in America and the world.

Negative eugenics is still practiced today in the form of abortion. Consequently, the majority atheistic, agnostic, and consequently evolutionary school of thought permits parents’ pleasure and reduced economic stress to supersede the paradigm of value given to each human being by the Creator of life. As it is written, “ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them...” (Psalm 139:16)

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[1] Elof Carlson, “Scientific Origins of Eugenics,” Eugenics Archive, http://www.eugenicsarchive.org/eugenics/list2.pl (accessed June 27, 2012).

[2] “Buck Vs Bell Supreme Court Decision,” Eugenics Archive,http://www.eugenicsarchive.org/eugenics/list2.pl (accessed June 27, 2012).