Eugenics, the idea of improving the genetic quality of the human population, has a complex and controversial history that spans over a century. Its roots can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, closely tied to the emergence of genetics as a scientific field and social Darwinism's interpretation of Charles Darwin's theories on natural selection.
Darwinism lended eugenics the application of evolutionary principles to human society. Darwin's theory of natural selection and the idea of "survival of the fittest" were applied to human populations, leading some to believe that certain traits were more desirable than others. This led to the belief that by controlling human reproduction, we could improve the genetic quality of the population. It was rooted in the social Darwinism of the late 19th century, a period in which notions of fitness, competition, and biological rationalizations of inequality were popular. At the time, a growing number of theorists introduced Darwinian analogies of "survival of the fittest" into social argument.
The term "eugenics" was first coined by Francis Galton, a British scientist and cousin of Charles Darwin, in 1883. Galton believed that intellectual, moral, and physical traits were inherited and that society should encourage the reproduction of individuals possessing desirable traits while discouraging or preventing those with undesirable qualities from reproducing.
This concept of eugenics divided into two main branches: positive eugenics, aimed at promoting reproductive opportunities for the genetically 'fit,' and negative eugenics, aimed at reducing reproduction among those considered genetically 'unfit.'
In the early 20th century, eugenics gained significant momentum in various countries, notably the United States, the United Kingdom, and later, Nazi Germany. In the United States, the eugenics movement led to the implementation of laws that facilitated forced sterilizations and restricted immigration based on presumed genetic qualities. The movement was supported by prominent figures and institutions, including the Carnegie Institution and the Rockefeller Foundation. The Supreme Court case Buck v. Bell in 1927, which upheld a Virginia law allowing for the compulsory sterilization of individuals deemed unfit, exemplifies the legal endorsement of eugenic principles during this period.
Eugenics was also embraced in various forms around the world, from forced sterilization programs in Canada and Scandinavia to the racial purity policies of Nazi Germany. Under Adolf Hitler, the eugenics movement reached an infamous manifestation. The Nazi regime's racial policies, which led to the Holocaust, were deeply influenced by eugenic theories. The Nazis sought to create a 'racially pure' Aryan race through programs that included the sterilization and extermination of those they deemed genetically inferior, including Jews, Romani people, disabled individuals, homosexuals and other groups they deemed undesirable.
The experiments of World War II brought significant scrutiny and reevaluation of eugenics. The widespread condemnation of Nazi atrocities led to a decline in overt eugenic policies. However, involuntary sterilization programs and other eugenic practices continued in some countries, including the land of the free, the United States of America well into the late 20th century. In recent decades, advancements in genetics and reproductive technologies have revived ethical debates reminiscent of historical eugenics discussions.
Many of these historical eugenics proponents have links to advanced genetic technology, like mRNA transfer injections, also known as human transfection, or mRNA vaccine, and reproductive technology, like in vitro lab grown babies, and services like fertility and abortion clinics. The Sanger family was heavily involved in eugenics. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, was a eugenicist who believed in controlling the reproduction of "undesirable" populations. Read more about the connection of Planned Parent Hood and Eugenics here.
Similar to Margaret Sanger, the Gates family has also been connected to eugenics through their support of population control measures in developing countries including funding and promoting research into new contraceptive technologies such as vaccines that could potentially be used to control fertility, amongs other vaccine campaigns.
The Rothschild family has a long history of supporting eugenics and population control, and they have been linked to various eugenics organizations, including the American Eugenics Society and the Galton Institute (formerly known as the Eugenics Society). They have also been connected to the Population Council, which has been involved in population control and eugenics-related activities.
Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum, has expressed support for eugenicist ideas and has been accused of promoting eugenics through his organization's policies and initiatives in a few ways including emphasizing the need for "population control" and "sustainable development" in developing countries, which can be euphemisms for eugenics and population reduction, supporting and promoting the use of new technologies, such as mRNA transfer, gene editing and biotechnology, which could be used for eugenicist purposes. Additionally, he advocates the "Great Reset," which some critics argue is a cover for implementing eugenicist and population control measures under the guise of addressing climate change and economic inequality. Klaus Schwab and the WEF collaborates with organizations and individuals who have expressed support for eugenicist ideas, such as the Gates Foundation and various population control advocacy groups. The WEF and associated organizations have pushed for a "new social contract" post-covid, which some see as a way to implement eugenicist policies under the cover of a crisis.
The history of eugenics serves as a cautionary tale about the application of scientific knowledge to social policy. It highlights the dangers and ethical implications of genetics research, and the potential for abuse in the name of improving human heredity. As we enter this new stage of mRNA biotechnology and human transfections, the eugenic legacy underscores the need for vigilance against the infringement of human rights and dignity in the name of genetic modification and population control.