the study of hereditary improvement of the human race by controlled selective breeding.

The study of the methods to improve human characteristics by the application of genetics.

A doctrine which holds that the human race can be "improved" by selective control of breeding to eradicate less "desirable" traits in society. The supporters of eugenics argue that social problems are caused by inherited genetic traits in people which can be bred out to resolve the problem for future generations. The logical conclusion of this theory is deeply racist and reactionary based on dubious research and prejudice.

Controlled human breeding based on notions of desirable and undesirable genotypes.

The field concerned with improving the hereditary qualities of the human race through social control of mating and reproduction.

The study and application of selective human breeding to achieve a desired set of characteristics.

Galton 1883 – The science of improving inherited human characteristics. To produce healthy offspring anyone who has a genetic constitution that may result in harm to their offspring should be discouraged from doing so. Discredited by Nazi abuse but new genetic technology presents the chance for eugenics to be implemented. Problem is that there are few characteristics that should be indisputably aimed for.

The practice of trying to influence human heredity by encouraging the transmission of 'desirable' characteristics and discouraging the transmission of 'undesirable' ones.

Also known as "Race Hygiene." Using eugenics and race hygiene, German scientists and physicians legitimized the racial ideology of the Nazi movement, thereby providing the "scientific" rationale for radical policies of exclusion and mass murder. Linking heredity and genealogy to disease and retardation as well as to crime, they advocated sterilization of humans they.considered inferior. After registration, they were willing to kill these groups. Nazi racial hygiene was especially opposed to all forms of racial mixing. The practitioners of racial hygiene provided the intellectual infrastructure for genocide and conducted research on the disabled and German Sinti and Roma.

Literally "well born." The proposed improvement of the genetic composition by encouraging breeding between those presumed to have desirable genes (positive eugenics) and discouraging breeding of those presumed to have undesirable genes (negative eugenics).

The study of the production of better offspring by the careful selection of parents.

Scientific improvement of the a nation's health, physical well-being and genetics.

A scientific program focusing on human breeding, which the Nazis used to promote racial purity and Aryan "ubermenschen," "superhumans."

A spin-off of the 'survival of the fittest' ideas of Charles Darwin ( see Darwinism), which was popularised by his cousin Francis Galton (1822-1911). He defined eugenics as 'the study of agencies under social control that may improve or impair the racial qualities of future generations, whether physically or mentally'. These ideas eventually led to the euthanasia practised by the Nazis and to the Holocaust. They were also put into practice in a less lethal but still damaging way by many governments, including those in the US, Britain and Sweden, especially in the treatment of people with learning difficulties.

The social Darwinist principle of strengthening the qualities of a race by controlling inherited characteristics. Term coined by Francis Galton in 1883.

level: Basic (2) [ order by level] A political and ideological movement, which had its heyday before World War II, aiming at the genetic improvement of the human race.

the study of methods of improving genetic qualities by selective breeding (especially as applied to human mating)

This meant controlling the breeding of humans to improve them. Although it had some legitimate intentions, the Nazis gave such actions a bad name through programs such as Mutterkreuz that believed eugenics should work to promote Aryans and the racially pure Ubermenschen (supermen). This scientific veneer also involved belief in "racial hygeine."

The improvement of humanity by altering its genetic composition by encouraging breeding of those presumed to have desirable genes.

the early twentieth century policy which aimed to improve the quality of the population by preventing "unfit" people from reproducing and encouraging "fit" people to reproduce. Such ideas were popular in many countries, and were widely implemented in US, the Nordic countries, Germany and other states. The eugenic philosophy was discredited by association with Nazi abuses, and most US and UK geneticists have actively dissociated themselves from eugenics since 1945.

The 'science' which promotes the improvement of the hereditary qualities of a race or a species.

The study of improving a species by artificial selection; usually refers to the selective breeding of humans.

The idea of improving the human race through the control or manipulation of genes.

First coined by Sir Francis Galton in 1883 from the Greek word meaning “good birth.” A study of agencies under social contract that may improve or impair the racial qualities of future generations, whether physically or mentally.  Gaia Theory. A belief (considered radical by many) by those who espouse natural rights that the earth itself is a dynamic, living organism that feels “pain.” See Naturalism.  Golden Rule. An example of a moral standard that reflects absolutism as well as an eternal law. It suggests that an individual should act in a manner, as they would want others to act towards them.

the use of genetic engineering to produce a superior race.

The belief that information about heredity can be used to improve the human race.

The purported science of improvement of the human race through better breeding and purification. Eugenic medicine is practice today by killing preborn babies as early as a "defect" is identified.

a field of study, which gained some prominence at the beginning of the 20th century, which advocated the manipulation of human characteristics by artificial selection.

This term refers to a pseudo-science that sought to better the race. In 1883, Francis Galton defined eugenics as follows: “the science of improving stock, which is by no means confined to questions of judicious mating, but which . . . takes cognizance of all influences that tend in however remote a degree to give the more suitable races of strains of blood a better chance of prevailing speedily over the less suitable than they otherwise would have had.” The Nazis would carry out such policies in the extreme with their sterilizations measures and eventually their “euthanasia” program (killing of disabled Germans and Jews).

An attempt to alter (with the aim of improving) the genetic constitution of future generations.

Activity seeking to alter (with the aim of improving) the genetic constitution of future generations.

Eugenics is a science that deals with the "improvement" of hereditary qualities of a people. The 1920s birth-control movement was supported by eugenicists who saw birth control as a way of "weeding-out" the "unfit" types from the population.

Strategies for attempting to improve the gene pool of a species either by halting the transmission of unwanted characteristics or increasing the transmission of desired characteristics.

the study of hereditary improvement by genetic control.

the science of improving human beings by selective breeding of people with desirable traits

Eugenics is a social philosophy which advocates the improvement of human hereditary traits through various forms of intervention.The exact definition of eugenics has been a matter of debate since the term was coined. The definition of it as a "social philosophy" (that is, a philosophy with implications for social order) is not meant to be definitive, and is taken from "Development of a Eugenic Philosophy" by Frederick Osborn in American Sociological Review, Vol. 2, No. 3 (Jun., 1937) , pp. 389-397. The purported goals have variously been to create healthier, more intelligent people, save society's resources, and lessen human suffering.