the_seeker

Eugenics can be as simple as one person, who happens to be diabetic, short-sighted and rather dim-witted, deciding for himself to procreate below replacement level because he doesn't want future generations suffering from the same ailments, or one person, who happens to be tall, disease-free and intelligent, procreating above replacement level because he knows his genes are good.

"Mass sterilisation" and other horror stories are rubbish.

Thalia

If it is completely voluntary, with no authoritative hand, and each individual decides, well, isn't that what happens now? We have genetic counseling just for that purpose, and many people do choose to get donor eggs or sperm if there is say, Huntington's disease. If we promote that some people not reproduce, at whom do we aim this promotion. I can't think of anyone who doesn't have some bad gene, either expressed or recessive. I'm tall, pretty, highly intelligent, have naturally low blood pressure and lipids, got great skin from my grandma, but I have depression, poor eyesight, and allergies. Are my genes bad or good? I guess only the narcissists will reproduce.

There are tons of health problems tied to multiple genes that don't necessarily express themselves unless there is the right "combo" or environment. It would take many, many, many generations of 100% eugenic breeding to even make a small difference with these kinds of diseases.

I also feel this really takes the emphasis off of the fact that the leading causes of death are from largely preventable causes. If a person wants to reduce suffering from health problems, your time is better spent promting healthy lifestyles and simple things like wearing a seat belt, not drinking and driving, etc.