Eugenicist: meaning, definitions and examples
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eugenicist
[ juˈdʒɛnɪsɪst ]
scientific belief
A eugenicist is an advocate or proponent of eugenics, a movement aimed at improving the genetic quality of a human population by controlled breeding. Eugenicists often promote ideas about selective reproduction to enhance desirable heritable characteristics. Their beliefs have historically led to controversial and unethical practices, including forced sterilizations and genocide. The movement peaked in the early 20th century but faced significant criticism after World War II due to its association with Nazi ideology and human rights abuses.
Synonyms
bioethicist, eugenics advocate, geneticist
Examples of usage
- The eugenicist argued for selective breeding in society.
- Many eugenicists were active during the early 20th century.
- The theories proposed by eugenicists were later discredited.
- A prominent eugenicist published a book on genetic improvement.
Translations
Translations of the word "eugenicist" in other languages:
🇵🇹 eugenista
🇮🇳 यूजेनिसिस्ट
🇩🇪 Eugeniker
🇮🇩 eugenis
🇺🇦 евгеніст
🇵🇱 eugenik
🇯🇵 優生学者
🇫🇷 eugéniste
🇪🇸 eugenista
🇹🇷 eugenist
🇰🇷 유전학자
🇸🇦 عالم تحسين النسل
🇨🇿 eugenik
🇸🇰 eugenik
🇨🇳 优生学家
🇸🇮 eugenik
🇮🇸 eugenisti
🇰🇿 евгений
🇬🇪 ეუგენისტი
🇦🇿 evgenist
🇲🇽 eugenista
Etymology
The term 'eugenicist' is derived from 'eugenics,' which comes from the Greek words 'eu' meaning 'good' and 'genes' meaning 'born of' or 'produced by.' The concept was popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by scientists and social theorists such as Sir Francis Galton, who studied heredity and its effects on human traits. Galton, a cousin of Charles Darwin, sought to apply Darwinian principles to human reproduction. The eugenics movement gained traction in many countries, arguing for the improvement of human populations through various means. However, the misuse of eugenics as a justification for horrific human rights violations during the World War II era led to its discrediting and the rejection of its principles in modern science.