Eugenics VS. Human Genetics

Eugenics is the selection of desired heritable characteristics in order to improve future generations, typically in reference to humans. The term eugenics was coined in 1883 by British explorer and natural scientist Francis Galton, who, influenced by Charles Darwin (Links to an external site.)’s theory of natural selection (Links to an external site.), advocated a system that would allow “the more suitable races or strains of blood a better chance of prevailing speedily over the less suitable.” Social Darwinism (Links to an external site.), the popular theory in the late 19th century that life for humans in society was ruled by “survival of the fittest,” helped advance eugenics into the serious scientific study in the early 1900s. (Eugenics | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica, n.d.) Genetics (Links to an external site.) is the scientific study of genes (Links to an external site.) and heredity—of how certain qualities or traits are passed from parents to offspring as a result of changes in DNA (Links to an external site.) sequence. A gene is a segment of DNA that contains instructions for building one or more molecules (Links to an external site.) that help the bodywork. A stem cell transplant, also called a bone marrow transplant, can be used to treat certain types of cancer. This procedure might be called peripheral stem cell transplant or cord blood transplant, depending on where the stem cells come from. Here we’ll explain stem cells and stem cell transplant, cover some of the issues that come with transplants, and describe what it's like to donate stem cells.

All the terms mentioned share in common that they belong or work with genes and the human main component which is their DNA. In my opinion, eugenics is wrong, not only because you are just picking and modifying what is supposed to be natural but the meaning of it, to find perfection. Perfection is abstract, and it will always look different in the eyes of those who are seen. For me, a perfect world could be if everyone loved and respected each other because I was raised that way but it does not mean necessarily that someone else will agree with me, their paradigm and view may differ from mine. However; When we speak about stem cells or genetic testing I find it more ethically correct. If we have the means to provide wellness to a human being by using their own stem cells which refer to cells ‘empty’ without a specific DNA able to adapt to where they are inserted or to study their genes and see if they have any anomaly and how we can help them have a better quality of life is at the end our goal and the reason why we are in the healthcare area.

References:

Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant | American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant.html (Links to an external site.)

Genetics. (n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/genetics.aspx