History of Eugenics in Canada

Paper Summary:

This paper presents the arguments for and against the use of Eugenics in a Canadian context, which was first used at the start of the 20th Century, to "improve" the population. The history of the use of this concept and practice is traced to modern day science and how it relates to the Human Genome Project.

Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Perceived Need for Eugenics in Canada
Justification of Eugenics
Methods of Implementation
Sexual Sterilization Laws in Canada
Alberta Sexual Sterilization Act, 1928
Death of Eugenics in Canada
Eugenics in Canada Today
Future of Eugenics
Conclusion
References

From the Paper:

"Sir Francis Galton first coined the term "eugenics" in 1883 when he defined it as "the study of the agencies under social control that may improve or impair the racial qualities of future generations, either physically or mentally" (Galton, 1907.) Eugenics can be divided into two categories, Negative and Positive Eugenics. Negative Eugenics acts to eliminate undesirable traits from the gene pool, and to ultimately increase the number of desirable individuals in the population by decreasing the rate of propagation of those individuals deemed to be inferior. Positive Eugenics aims to decrease the number of individuals deemed inferior by encouraging propagation of individuals possessing desirable traits (Law Reform Commission of Canada (LRCC), 1979.)"

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