Definition
The biological process or practice of improving a population's genetic qualities through controlled breeding or genetic selection.
Etymology
From Greek eu- (good, well) and genesis (origin, creation, or generation), literally meaning 'good origin' or 'improvement of origin.'
Kelly Says
Eugenesis sounds like a scientific term, but it's actually pretty controversial because historically it's been misused to justify eugenic programs that harmed millions—scientists today prefer talking about genetic screening and genetic counseling instead.
Translations
AMአማርኛ
ጥበቃ ማእከል
tibeka ma'ekel
ARالعربية
إنجاب ناجح
in-jaab naajih
BNবাংলা
যুক্তিশীল প্রজনন
jukti-shilil projanan
CACatalà
eugenèsia
yoo-jen-eh-zee-ah
CSČeština
eugenetika
yoo-zhen-ee-ti-ka
DADansk
eugenik
yoo-zhen-ik
DEDeutsch
Eugenese
oy-oo-ge-neh-zeh
ELΕλληνικά
ευγονία
ef-goo-nee-ah
ESEspañol
eugenesia
yoo-jen-eh-thee-ah
FAفارسی
آनुवंشی خوب
an-uvanshi khub
FISuomi
eugeeniikka
yoo-gee-nee-kka
FRFrançais
eugenèse
yoo-jen-ez
GUGU
શુભ્ર પ્રજનન
shubh prajanan
HAHA
haɗin da ya dace
ha-din da ya dace
HEעברית
אוגניקה
oo-gen-i-kah
HIहिन्दी
उत्कृष्ट प्रजनन
utkṛṣṭ prajanaṇa
HUMagyar
eugenika
yoo-zhen-ee-kah
IDBahasa Indonesia
eugenez
yoo-jen-ez
IGIG
ọ̀rọ̀ ẹ̀rọ̀
o-ro eh-ro
ITItaliano
eugenesi
yoo-jen-eh-zee
KKKK
еугеника
ev-zhen-i-kah
KMKM
សម្រាប់ការប្រើប្រាស់
samraap kraa-bpraa-sa
MRMR
शुद्ध प्रजनन
shudd prajanan
MSBahasa Melayu
eugenez
yoo-jen-ez
MYမြန်မာ
ကျေးဇူးပြု ဖွဲ့စည်း
kyee-zu-prou hwe-she-syn
NLNederlands
eugenese
yoo-zhen-eh-zeh
NONorsk
eugenik
yoo-zhen-ik
PAPA
ਸੁਖੀ ਪ੍ਰजनਨ
sukh-ee prajanan
PLPolski
eugenezja
yoo-zhen-eh-zhah
PTPortuguês
eugênese
ew-zhen-eh-zeh
RORomână
eugenie
yoo-jen-ee-eh
RUРусский
эвгеника
ev-zhen-i-kah
SVSvenska
eugenik
yoo-zhen-ik
SWKiswahili
eugenics
yoo-jen-iks
TAதமிழ்
சிறந்த இனப்பெருக்கம்
chirantha inappirukkam
TEతెలుగు
శుభ్రమైన ప్రజననం
shubhram ainam prajananam
THไทย
พันธุศาสตร์ที่ดี
phan-thuu-sa-at-thei-dee
TRTürkçe
eujenik
yoo-jen-ik
UKУкраїнська
евгеніка
ev-zhen-i-kah
URاردو
مناسب پیداوار
musaaib paydawar
VITiếng Việt
sinh học ưu tú
sinh hoc uu tu
YOYO
ọ̀rọ̀ ẹ̀rọ̀
o-ro eh-ro
ZUZU
ukuselekelwa kwakho
oo-koo-se-le-ke-lwa kwa-kho
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Eugenics terminology entered scientific discourse with gendered assumptions about women's biological 'fitness' and social roles. Control over reproduction was framed as improvement of the race, justifying restrictions on women's choice.
Inclusive Usage
Avoid in contemporary contexts. If historical analysis needed, center the reproductive autonomy that was denied.
Inclusive Alternatives
["natural selection","biological variation","reproductive diversity"]
Empowerment Note
Women's reproductive justice movements globally have resisted eugenic frameworks by asserting the right to have children, not have children, and parent children in safe conditions—restoring agency.