eugenics

[yoo-jen-iks]

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population, especially by such means as discouraging reproduction by people presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits negative eugenics or encouraging reproduction by people presumed to have inheritable desirable traits positive eugenics.

eugenics

/ ˈjuːdʒənɪst, juːˈdʒɛnɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the study of methods of improving the quality of the human race, esp by selective breeding

eugenics

1. The idea that one can improve the human race by careful selection of those who mate and produce offspring.

Eugenics was a popular theory in the early twentieth century but is no longer taken seriously, primarily because of the horrors of the eugenic efforts of the Nazi regime in Germany.

Other Word Forms

• eugenic adjective
• eugenist noun
• eugenically adverb
• eugenicist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of eugenics¹

First recorded in 1880–85; eugenic, -ics

Word History and Origins

Origin of eugenics¹

C19: from Greek eugenēs well-born, from _eu- + -genēs born; see _-gen

Example Sentences

The term “eugenics” was coined in 1883 by Francis Galton, who aimed to apply the findings of his cousin, Charles Darwin, to better society.

From Los Angeles Times

Some critics interpreted the ads as a play on eugenics, the discredited belief that humanity could be improved through selective breeding.

From BBC

Kennedy has signaled his own fidelity to eugenics by suggesting recently that people with autism are nonfunctional members of society…

From Salon

Those ads, which centered around a pun on the phrase “good genes,” were accused of promoting eugenics.

From Salon

Earlier this summer, the blond-haired, blue-eyed “Euphoria” starred in an ad campaign that critics accused of promoting eugenics.

From Salon