Euthenics

Euthenics is a branch of art and science that deals with the improvement of human functioning, efficiency, and well-being by modifying controllable environmental factors such as living conditions and education. The word euthenics is derived from the Greek word euthenein, which means,“to thrive or flourish.”

One of the first known authors to make use of the word euthenics was Ellen Swallow Richards (1842–1911) in her book The Cost of Shelter (1905). She used the word euthenics to mean “the science of better living.” In1926, the Daily Colonist summarized euthenics as “efficient living.” In 1967, Technology Week went on to define euthenics as “man's environmental opportunity,” “his education.” In all of these nascent definitions, the idea of improving human-kind and human functioning by the concept of modifying controllable conditions, such as better shelter, efficient living, and education, is present.

In 1869, an English scientist, Sir Francis Galton (also cousin of Charles Darwin) coined the phrase eugenics, which is now defined as the study of human genetics and of particular methods to improve mental and physical characteristics that are inherited. In his book Hereditary Genius (1869), he upheld his hypothesis that human mental abilities and personality traits were essentially inherited, in the same manner that hair color, height, and so forth are inherited. This hypothesis was supported by his collection of data and also by analyzing the obituaries in the newspaper, where he traced the lineage of eminent men in Europe and ascribed their success to superior genetics [Page 874]that were inherited. These findings provided the formative years of the eugenics movement.

A modern adaptation of Galton's view of eugenics is directed toward the discouragement (usually forceful) of the propagation among the “unfit,” for example, individuals with traits such as dwarfism or Down syndrome. This is defined as “negative eugenics.” Conversely, the encouragement of the procreation of those individuals who are healthy and intelligent would be defined as “positive eugenics.”

The encouragement of positive eugenics was seen in societies as early as ancient Sparta. In this culture, the strongest and best warriors were arranged to breed with women who were also strong and skillful warriors, or with the daughter of another powerful warrior. In this way,Sparta's people gave birth to some of the toughest and fiercest armies in the ancient world. It was also no coincidence that Sparta was the only city that did not have a wall around it, because they did not need one.

More modern examples of positive eugenics were applications of such principles that included enforced sterilization of the insane in the United States. Even more recently, in 1994, the Republic of China enacted restrictions on marriages involving persons with disabilities and diseases.

Darwin's theory of “natural selection” is also implicitly a form of natural positive eugenics, in that the dominant males will have more opportunity to breed with the females and thus propagate their more favorable genetics. In addition to this, the females of a species are naturally more attracted to the more dominant male or the “alpha male.” Both of these natural methods work to ensure the survival and improvement of the species.

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