Eugenics: A Reassessment (Human Evolution, Behavior, and Intelligence) (Praeger Studies of Foreign Policies of the Great Powers)

Lynn argues that the condemnation of eugenics in the second half of the 20th century went too far and offers a reassessment. The eugenic objectives of eliminating genetic diseases, increasing intelligence, and reducing personality disorders he argues, remain desirable and are achievable by human biotechnology. In this four-part analysis, Lynn begins with an account of the foundation of eugenics by Francis Galton and the rise and fall of eugenics in the twentieth century. He then sets out historical formulations on this issue and discusses in detail desirability of the new eugenics of human biotechnology. After examining the classic approach of attempting to implement eugenics by altering reproduction, Lynn concludes that the policies of classical eugenics are not politically feasible in democratic societies. The new eugenics of human biotechnology--prenatal diagnosis of embryos with genetic diseases, embryo selection, and cloning--may be more likely than classic eugenics to evolve spontaneously in western democracies. Lynn looks at the ethical issues of human biotechnologies and how they may be used by authoritarian states to promote state power. He predicts how eugenic policies and dysgenic processes are likely to affect geopolitics and the balance of power in the 21st century. Lynn offers a provocative analysis that will be of particular interest to psychologists, sociologists, demographers, and biologists concerned with issues of population change and intelligence. Lynn (psychology, U. Of Ulster) Defends Human Breeding And Culling Based On Eight Propositions, Among Them That Certain Human Qualities Are Valuable Because They Provide The Foundation For A Nation's Intellectual And Cultural Achievement, That Such Qualities Are To A Substantial Extent Genetically Determined And So Can Be Genetically Improved, And That Human Biotechnology Can Be Used To Achieve Eugenic Objectives. He Begins With The History Of The Belief, Then Sets Out Its Objects And The Implementation Of Its Classical Form, And Describes The New Eugenics. He Mentions Nazi Germany Briefly Twice To Defend Its Eugenics Practices. Preface : The General Theory Of Eugenics -- Part I. Historical Introduction. Sir Francis Galton Lays The Foundations Of Eugenics ; The Rise And Fall Of Eugenics -- Part Ii. The Objectives Of Eugenics. Historical Formulations ; Genetic Diseases And Disorders ; Mental Illness ; Intelligence ; Mental Retardation ; Personality ; Psychopathic Personality -- Part Iii. The Implementation Of Classical Eugenics. The Genetic Foundations Of Eugenics ; The Genetic Principles Of Selection ; Negative Eugenics : Provision Of Information And Services ; Negative Eugenics : Incentives, Coercion, And Compulsion ; Licenses For Parenthood ; Positive Eugenics ; The Ethical Principles Of Classical Eugenics -- Part Iv. The New Eugenics. Developments In Human Biotechnology ; Ethical Issues In Human Biotechnology ; The Future Of Eugenics In Democratic Societies ; The Future Of Eugenics In Authoritarian States ; The Evolution Of The Eugenic World State. Richard Lynn. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [321]-354) And Index. Eugenics was first advanced by the Greek philosopher Plato in his book The Republic, written about 380 B.C.