Eugenika u 20. stoljeću: Slučaj Sjedinjenih Američkih Država

master's thesis

• Title (english): Eugenics in the 20th century: Study case of the United States of America
• Author: Kristina Požgaj
• Mentor: Marko Kos (mentor)
• Committee member: Hrvoje Jurić (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; (Department of Philosophy); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2023-09-22, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: HUMANISTIC SCIENCES; Philosophy; Ethics

Abstract

U 20. stoljeću eugenika se pojavila kao kontroverzni pokret u SAD-u s ciljem poboljšanja genetske kvalitete stanovništva. Kako je ovaj pokret postajao sve popularniji, doneseni su propisi koji su olakšavali prisilnu sterilizaciju ljudi i ograničavali njihovu mogućnost da se vjenčaju s onima za koje se smatralo da su “neprikladni“ prema eugeničkim standardima. Ciljevi i tehnike eugenike u središtu su etičke rasprave. Eugenički pristaše tvrdili su da bi mogla smanjiti učestalost nasljednih bolesti i povećati ljudski potencijal, što bi bilo korisno za društvo u cjelini. Međutim, kritičari su izrazili opravdanu zabrinutost zbog kršenja prava pojedinaca, mogućnosti rasne i ekonomske diskriminacije te državnog nadzora nad reprodukcijom. Iako su se zagovornici eugenike nadali da će njihove teorije proizvesti zdraviju i inteligentniju populaciju, njihova je primjena često dovodila do teških nepravdi. Brojne osobe, posebice one iz marginaliziranih skupina, bile su prisiljene na sterilizacije, čime su im kršena temeljna prava i uzrokovane trajne traume. Genetski utemeljene ideje o inherentnoj superiornosti i inferiornosti pomogle su u održavanju predrasuda i sprječavale su društveni napredak. U retrospektivi, etička procjena eugenike u Sjedinjenim Državama u 20. stoljeću čvrsto naginje prema nemoralnim praksama. Zanemarivanje ljudske autonomije od strane pokreta, podrška diskriminatornim taktikama i ukorijenjena nejednakost koja se eugenikom potvrđuje pokazuju rizike težnje za genetskim poboljšanjem bez uzimanja u obzir dovoljno etičkih pitanja.

Abstract (english)

In the 20th century, eugenics emerged as a controversial movement in the USA, aiming to improve the genetic quality of the population. As this movement grew in popularity, regulations were passed that made it easier to sterilize people forcibly and restricted their ability to marry those who were thought to be “unfit“ by eugenic standards. The goals and techniques of eugenics are at the center of the ethical debate. Proponents of eugenics argued that they could reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases and increase human potential, which would benefit society as a whole. However, critics have expressed legitimate concerns about the violation of individual rights, the possibility of racial and economic discrimination and state surveillance of reproduction. Although eugenics' proponents hoped their theories would produce a population that was healthier and more intelligent, their implementation frequently led to severe injustices. Numerous people, especially those from marginalized groups, were forced to have sterilizations, which violated their fundamental rights and causing lasting trauma Genetically based ideas of inherent superiority and inferiority helped to maintain detrimental biases and impeded social advancement. In retrospect, the ethical assessment of eugenics in the United States in the 20th century leans firmly toward the unethical. The movement's disregard for human autonomy, support for discriminatory tactics, and the ingrained inequities it reaffirmed show the risks of pursuing genetic enhancement without taking sufficient ethical issues into account.

• Keywords: eugenika; 20. stoljeće; Sjedinjene Američke Države; zakoni; sterilizacija
• Keywords (english): eugenics; 20th century; United States of America; laws; sterilization
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:131:434490
• Study programme: Title: Philosophy (double major); specializations in: Teaching, Research; Course: Research; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra filozofije (magistar/magistra filozofije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2023-09-23 21:49:31