Eugenics is unethical
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Eugenics is unethically abused
Modern eugenics calls to mind the dark past of the eugenics movement during the 1900s. Between the abuse that took place in America and and the horrors of Nazi Germany, it is clear that eugenics can only ever be abused.
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The Argument
The introduction of human eugenics in the United States led to negative consequences. Involuntary sterilization, discrimination, and widespread support of euthanizing children became commonplace during the eugenics movement in the United States. Even after sterilization support died down in the 1970s, women were still involuntarily sterilized because it was never outlawed. [1]The lack of regulations following the eugenics movement raises the ever-present fear of eugenic practices being abused again.
Additionally, the way that eugenics was abused in Nazi Germany raises concerns. After World War II, the Nuremberg court revealed men that were involved in killing disabled people. One argument made in the court was that they were only supporting the eugenic ideals that stemmed from America. [2]Although this probably was not the intention of America, it became an unintentional influence that was abused. Therefore, eugenic practices are unethical and will only ever be abused.
Counter arguments
Since the eugenics movement, more guidelines have been instituted to ensure that the procedures involved in eugenics are ethical. Despite the dark past of the Holocaust, eugenics has broken away from those practices. Modern eugenics is focused on changing the genes of a person, not eliminating others that do not have a specific trait as Nazi Germany did during the Holocaust.
Proponents
Premises
[P1] Eugenics has been abused in the past.
[P2] Practices that are abused should be considered unethical.
[P3] Therefore, eugenics is unethical.