Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

The old eugenics and new genetics compared

Ekberg, M. E. (2007) The old eugenics and new genetics compared. Social History of Medicine. 20(3), pp. 581-593. 1477-4666.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: One of the greatest fears associated with the new genetics is the resurgence of eugenics, but too often this assumes the new genetics is eugenics without investigating the diverse definitions and interpretations of eugenics. The aim of this paper is to critically investigate the concept of eugenics in theory and in practice and to question whether the new genetics is a renewal, reform or return of eugenics. The discussion is oriented around six key arguments that illuminate the central points of convergence and divergence between the old eugenics and the new genetics. Ultimately, the paper concludes that despite significant procedural, legislative and administrative differences between the old eugenics and the new genetics, and despite significant spatial, temporal and cultural variations in interpretation and implementation, at the ideological level, there is essentially no difference. The old eugenics was genetics and the new genetics is eugenics
Uncontrolled Keywords: old eugenics; new genetics; social history of medical genetics
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Women > HQ750 Eugenics
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics
R Medicine > RB Pathology > RB151 Theories of disease. Etiology. Pathogenesis > RB155 Medical genetics
Creators: Ekberg, Merryn E
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Sports, Exercise & Life Sciences
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Sports, Exercise & Life Sciences
Date: December 2007
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 581-593
Journal or Publication Title: Social History of Medicine
Volume: 20
Number: 3
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/shm/hkm075
ISSN: 1477-4666
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: No
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/582

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