Question

Do you feel that these concepts, the Down's Syndrome rate of Iceland and the concept of eugenics are similar or dissimilar? Why or why not?
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/down-syndrome-iceland/

https://www.history.com/topics/germany/eugenics

Answer 1

Yes, the Down's Syndrome rate of Iceland and the concept of eugenics are definitely similar.

Eugenics (good origin) are a set of principles that aim to improve the genetic quality of the human race. This is done by excluding certain people or group of individuals identified to e inferior and encouraging the growth of those that are believed to be superior. This is achieved by selectively mating individuals having specific desirable hereditary traits and reducing human misery by breeding out disabilities, disease and the undesirable characteristics.

With the rise in prenatal screening tests done in Iceland since the year 2000, a majority of women have opted for terminating their pregnancies if the tests reveal the likelihood of the child being born with Down’s syndrome. Children with this syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome number 21. This may lead to delay in intellectual development, may have heart defects and certain disabilities in facial features. However, the expression levels in every individual are different. Some children may even lead a normal life.

There is undoubtedly a relation between the Down syndrome’s rate of Iceland and the concept of eugenics as the pregnant couples are encouraging the fact that life with Down’s syndrome is not worth living and selectively breeding out this disability. Thus, Iceland is venturing into a genetic testing procedure where couples can pick and choose which kids they want to bring into this world,