Let Us Make Perfect Children - The Rhetorical Concept Of Obligation In Eugenics Movements

Examining the concept of obligation in historical eugenics movements provides a cautionary diagnostic tool for the liberal eugenics movement. To see how this challenging obligation rhetoric plays into the social and legal aspects of medicine, I analyze both past and present eugenics movements and demonstrate that narratives of obligation are present in all eugenics movements. By looking at the interplay of obligation and perfection, one will be able to develop tools for ethical decision-making for today and the future. Genetic technologies are advancing at a disquieting rate, surpassing both our legal and ethical means to establish safeguards quickly. This thesis on the rhetoric of obligation assists in developing a framework for ethical practices that can account for these continuing technical advancements.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Arnold, Birgit

• Bioethics

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/38529

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/38529