Re: How quickly does the gene pool deteriorate when the weak survive?

Tim Tyler <seemysig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

John Wilkins wrote:

Eugenics is based on a misunderstanding,
and in fact rejection, of evolutionary theory.

Um, not according to the dictionary, it isn't:

``Eugenics:

the study of or belief in the possibility of improving the
qualities of the human species or a human population, esp.
by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons
having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable
undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging
reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable
desirable traits (positive eugenics).''

- http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Eugenics

With respect, that definition, while accurate enough, is not based on
evolutionary theory. But as early as the mid-30s, Dobzhansky noted that
evolution occurred on species with genetic loads no better than ours,
which did not go extinct.

Eugenics is based on animal husbandry, and has been since the Spartans.
--
John S. Wilkins, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Biohumanities Project
University of Queensland - Blog: scienceblogs.com/evolvingthoughts
"He used... sarcasm. He knew all the tricks, dramatic irony, metaphor,
bathos, puns, parody, litotes and... satire. He was vicious."

.