LAWS1110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Compulsory Sterilization, Genetic Predisposition, Anti-Social Behaviour
Document Summary
Eugenics = well born" - feeble mindedness". A set of beliefs/practices aimed at improving genetic quality of a human population. Linked physiological inadequacy of some form to criminality. Eugenicists used to believed that feeble mindedness" was linked with promiscuity and criminality - idea used until very recently. Nazi"s used this to justify imprisonment, executions etc. Positive eugenics = improving the gene pool - encouraging those with better genes to reproduce. Nancial incentives to have children, taxation of the childless. Negative eugenics (by coercion and compulsion) = permanent segregation, compulsory sterilisation of criminals, restrictive marriage and immigration policies on those w mental health issues etc. Now believe their are biological links to criminality but is also dependent on environmental factors - no longer rely on eugenics. Twin studies w concordance rates (raine 1993) Dz=20% - one twin shows criminal behaviours, likelihood the other will too. Hard to rule out in uence of shared environment here.
