About history and significance of the eugenic ideas

Abstract

Aim. To show the short history of the origin and development of the eugenic ideas at the beginning of the 20th century.

Methods. Historical-genetic and historical-comparative methods were used.

Results. The article presents the results of historical and medical research that demonstrated that close by the tasks to medicine eugenics studied inherited properties, their social manifestations and historical changes. Science eugenics gained wide circulation and recognition in 1920s in USSR. The ideas became popular that achievements of the Soviet health care, its preventive direction lead to creation of higher sanitary culture and realization of eugenic tasks for creation of the harmonious Soviet identity. Since the early 1930s in the Soviet Union the eugenics underwent severe criticism. The eugenic ideas were completely discredited by Nazi programs of fascist Germany in 1933-1945 when millions of people were exterminated. In the end of the 20th century interest in eugenics has renewed because of development of genetics.

Conclusion. Despite the ambiguous past, the eugenics had played a certain positive role as it allowed understanding genetic and anthropological human features, and served as an incentive for development of medical genetics and study of genetic diseases.

Keywords

eugenics / development of the eugenic ideas / individual inherited properties / genetics

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RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Sher S.A., Yakovleva T.V., Al’bitskiy V.Y.