The first link talks about the term eugenics which means generation or origin. Gregor Mendel found the concept of genes by cross-breeding pea plants and saw regular statistical patterns of features including height and color. Darwin had his own theory called "pangenesis." His theory states that inside organs of every plant and animal there were small particles called "gemmules." For example, a strong muscle would produce gemmules for strong muscles. Supposedly, these gemmules circulated around the body and collected in the reproductive organs. This theory was proven to be wrong after Darwin died. But Mendel's theory continued to succeed. He later found a distinction between genes which were dominant and recessive. Mendel then began predicting the traits and behaviors of humans to control human breeding. He believed that breeding people with the best genes would reproduce and improve the species. Eugenics began making discriminatory judgements about who were treated as inferior.
When Mendel began to predict the traits, he would use a quantitative analysis, putting numbers to observations, this allowed him to more accurately predict and control the human breeding. The only problem that I see with him trying to control the breeding is the fact that there are heterozygous genotypes which contain recessive alleles that can show up in future generations.
When I used to think of eugenics, I would think of Hitler. But after reading the chapter on Darwin and about the differences between positive and negative eugenics, I realized that a lot of this is still prevalent in our culture today. The example I thought of first is the statistic that 92% of babies who are diagnosed with down syndrome (sometimes not accurately) in the womb are aborted. It makes me so sad, especially considering all the beautiful people I know with down syndrome in my life; they are the life of the party and always filled with such joy! I'm thankful that my best friend's parents chose to have her even when they were told that she had down syndrome (turns out she doesn't). I'm interested in where eugenics is going now, especially with all the scientific advances with molecular genetics, and I found this article about how to have the "perfect baby," and it also discusses evolution. There was a quote by a physician that really stuck out: "Scientifically, I could give someone a baby with the eye colour they desire, but ethically I can't do that." It's an interesting read. http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/how-to-make-the-perfect-baby
They way people feel about those with down syndrome really, really bothers me. I remember when my aunt was pregnant they told her the baby had an extremely high chance of coming out with down syndrome and gave her the option to abort, not just an option though but almost as if they were trying to pressure her into doing so. She said the doctors and nurses were always making her uncomfortable whenever she went in for any checkups but she went through with the pregnancy telling them she didn't care, she was going to love the child anyways. When my cousin was born with DS she and my uncle were harassed constantly about adoption agencies and all these things they could do if they changed their mind about keeping my cousin. It's like, don't they realize how devastating enough this situation is without the pressure of all these people calling and questioning their love for the child? I understand they're just taking precautions because of all the sick people doing unthinkable things to their unwanted children but come on.
Karen, I agree with you that the attitude towards people with down syndrome is negative. I believe that it is the same towards anyone with a disability. Society tends to judge people with a disability because they don't fit into the social norm. I am glad that at Thomas More, there is an opportunity to spend time with people that have a disability and participate in the Special Olympics. Every year, the volleyball goes and bowls with the Special Olympics. This gives them an opportunity to be appreciated for the things they have accomplished. Before I participated my freshman year, I assumed that they were not the best at bowling and were doing it as something to do that was fun. I was proven completely wrong since some of them were blowing the volleyball team out of the water. Throughout the three years that I've been participating with the Special Olympics bowling, I have met the nicest people, who get excited for other people's accomplishment. They are the most selfless people in today's society because they see the good in everyone. The Special Olympics is a time that people with a disability can shine in something they are good at and not have to worry about society judging them. Another Special Olympics event that Thomas More participates in is flag football. It is going on this Sunday and most of the athletic teams sign up for shift, but if you are interested in volunteering, I believe you can contact Terry Connor or one of the athletic coaches.
According to Dictionary.com, the definition of Eugenics is "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 persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics)." The problem with eugenics is that sometimes, you cannot tell that a person has a non desirable trait. These traits were discovered by Mendel as recessive traits. Recessive traits are traits that are masked by a more dominant trait. Recessive traits are only shown when two recessive alleles are combined. A good example of the recessive trait is Cystic Fibrosis, in which both parents need to have the recessive allele for the child to obtain this disease. Cystic Fibrosis is the buildup of mucus within the lungs and can cause a blockage in the airways, which can lead to bacterial infections, extensive lung damage, and eventually respiratory failure. So how can the reproduction of people with desirable traits be continued, if there are undesirable recessive traits being passed down?
More on Cystic Fibrosis https://www.cff.org/What-is-CF/About-Cystic-Fibrosis/
There have been attempts to cure Cystic Fibrosis http://discovermagazine.com/2013/september/14-doorway-to-a-cure
The first link talks about the term eugenics which means generation or origin. Gregor Mendel found the concept of genes by cross-breeding pea plants and saw regular statistical patterns of features including height and color. Darwin had his own theory called "pangenesis." His theory states that inside organs of every plant and animal there were small particles called "gemmules." For example, a strong muscle would produce gemmules for strong muscles. Supposedly, these gemmules circulated around the body and collected in the reproductive organs. This theory was proven to be wrong after Darwin died. But Mendel's theory continued to succeed. He later found a distinction between genes which were dominant and recessive. Mendel then began predicting the traits and behaviors of humans to control human breeding. He believed that breeding people with the best genes would reproduce and improve the species. Eugenics began making discriminatory judgements about who were treated as inferior.
ReplyDeleteWhen Mendel began to predict the traits, he would use a quantitative analysis, putting numbers to observations, this allowed him to more accurately predict and control the human breeding. The only problem that I see with him trying to control the breeding is the fact that there are heterozygous genotypes which contain recessive alleles that can show up in future generations.
DeleteWhen I used to think of eugenics, I would think of Hitler. But after reading the chapter on Darwin and about the differences between positive and negative eugenics, I realized that a lot of this is still prevalent in our culture today. The example I thought of first is the statistic that 92% of babies who are diagnosed with down syndrome (sometimes not accurately) in the womb are aborted. It makes me so sad, especially considering all the beautiful people I know with down syndrome in my life; they are the life of the party and always filled with such joy! I'm thankful that my best friend's parents chose to have her even when they were told that she had down syndrome (turns out she doesn't). I'm interested in where eugenics is going now, especially with all the scientific advances with molecular genetics, and I found this article about how to have the "perfect baby," and it also discusses evolution. There was a quote by a physician that really stuck out: "Scientifically, I could give someone a baby with the eye colour they desire, but ethically I can't do that." It's an interesting read. http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/how-to-make-the-perfect-baby
ReplyDeleteThey way people feel about those with down syndrome really, really bothers me. I remember when my aunt was pregnant they told her the baby had an extremely high chance of coming out with down syndrome and gave her the option to abort, not just an option though but almost as if they were trying to pressure her into doing so. She said the doctors and nurses were always making her uncomfortable whenever she went in for any checkups but she went through with the pregnancy telling them she didn't care, she was going to love the child anyways. When my cousin was born with DS she and my uncle were harassed constantly about adoption agencies and all these things they could do if they changed their mind about keeping my cousin. It's like, don't they realize how devastating enough this situation is without the pressure of all these people calling and questioning their love for the child? I understand they're just taking precautions because of all the sick people doing unthinkable things to their unwanted children but come on.
DeleteKaren, I agree with you that the attitude towards people with down syndrome is negative. I believe that it is the same towards anyone with a disability. Society tends to judge people with a disability because they don't fit into the social norm. I am glad that at Thomas More, there is an opportunity to spend time with people that have a disability and participate in the Special Olympics. Every year, the volleyball goes and bowls with the Special Olympics. This gives them an opportunity to be appreciated for the things they have accomplished. Before I participated my freshman year, I assumed that they were not the best at bowling and were doing it as something to do that was fun. I was proven completely wrong since some of them were blowing the volleyball team out of the water. Throughout the three years that I've been participating with the Special Olympics bowling, I have met the nicest people, who get excited for other people's accomplishment. They are the most selfless people in today's society because they see the good in everyone. The Special Olympics is a time that people with a disability can shine in something they are good at and not have to worry about society judging them. Another Special Olympics event that Thomas More participates in is flag football. It is going on this Sunday and most of the athletic teams sign up for shift, but if you are interested in volunteering, I believe you can contact Terry Connor or one of the athletic coaches.
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DeleteAccording to Dictionary.com, the definition of Eugenics is "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 persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics)." The problem with eugenics is that sometimes, you cannot tell that a person has a non desirable trait. These traits were discovered by Mendel as recessive traits. Recessive traits are traits that are masked by a more dominant trait. Recessive traits are only shown when two recessive alleles are combined. A good example of the recessive trait is Cystic Fibrosis, in which both parents need to have the recessive allele for the child to obtain this disease. Cystic Fibrosis is the buildup of mucus within the lungs and can cause a blockage in the airways, which can lead to bacterial infections, extensive lung damage, and eventually respiratory failure. So how can the reproduction of people with desirable traits be continued, if there are undesirable recessive traits being passed down?
ReplyDeleteMore on Cystic Fibrosis
https://www.cff.org/What-is-CF/About-Cystic-Fibrosis/
There have been attempts to cure Cystic Fibrosis
http://discovermagazine.com/2013/september/14-doorway-to-a-cure