Eugenics

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the philosophy and practice of eugenics. It describes how eugenics is used today and the historical role that it has played in immigration. The paper looks at the differences between positive and negative eugenics and discusses the ethical considerations that need to be taken into account when discussing the practice of eugenics.

Table of Contents:
Overview of Eugenics
Eugenics Today
Eugenics and Immigration
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Even in modern culture, eugenics continues to play a role in immigration. For example, the story depicted in Dirty Pretty Things tells of two immigrants living in London who are forced to engage in sexual acts and the harvesting of their own body parts in order to remain in the country illegally. Although this may not seem like eugenics at the forefront, at its most basic level it is still a result of eugenics. For instance, if the national government did not place strict limitations on immigrants from Africa and Muslim countries (the locales of the movie's main characters) they would not have to live in London illegally. If they were not living in London illegally, then they would not have to subject themselves to such inhumane treatment as forced sex and organ harvesting. Thus, the effects of modern-day eugenics extend well beyond just limiting who can and cannot come to a country. (Frears, 2002)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Downes, Lawrence. "What Part of Illegal Don't You Understand?" New York Times.
• Engs, Ruth C. (2005): The Eugenics Movement: An Encyclopedia. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group.
• Flynn, J.R. (1984): "The Mean IQ of Americans: Massive Gains 1932 to 1978." Psychological Bulletin, 95, 29 - 51.
• Frears, Stephen. (2002): Dirty Pretty Things. London: Celador Films.
• Glad, John. (2007): Future Human Evolution: Eugenics in the Twenty-First Century. Hermitage Publishers.

More papers on Eugenics:

• Analytical Essay # 144351 : "Eugenics in Puerto Rico: Choice Or Coercion?"
• Analytical Essay # 143954 : "Eugenics and Morality"
• Essay # 40603 : "Pre-Natal Screening and Eugenics"

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