Eugenics - GCSE Biology Definition

Eugenics is a controversial idea and practice that involves trying to improve the human population by controlling which people are allowed to have children. The goal of eugenics was to encourage people with traits considered desirable, like intelligence or physical strength, to have more children, while discouraging or preventing those with traits viewed as undesirable from having children. This was done through selective breeding, policies, and sometimes harmful practices, often based on mistaken beliefs about genetics and what makes someone "better" or "worse." Eugenics is important in history because it can teach us about the dangers of trying to control human genetics without understanding the full impact on individuals and society.