Uncanceled Eugenics
Ryan Cox • March 19, 2021
February 24, 2021 marked the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s The Descent of Man. This book served somewhat as a sequel to his 1859 On the Origin of Species. In the first work, Darwin did not deal with human evolution in much detail. Now that his publication of evolutionary thoughts had gained notoriety, he attempted to tackle human evolution in the 1871 book.
Expounding upon his thoughts of civilized and barbarous peoples, he continued, “In a tribe thus rendered more numerous there would always be a rather better chance of the birth of other superior and inventive members. If such men left children to inherit their mental superiority, the chance of the birth of still more ingenious members would be somewhat better, and in a very small tribe decidedly better. Even if they left no children, the tribe would still include their blood-relations; and it has been ascertained by agriculturists that by preserving and breeding from the family of an animal… the desired character has been obtained.”(2)
Darwin concluded, “At some future period… the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate and replace the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes [i.e. less evolved people]… will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilised state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the negro or Australian and the gorilla.”(3)
Darwin clearly believed that peoples of Africa and Australia are less evolved (hardly any different than gorillas) and such peoples will one day be exterminated. His works were then used by men like Herbert Spencer, Francis Galton, Ernst Haeckel, Charles Davenport and many others to promote eugenics-based teachings and policies. In the early 1900s, 32 states in the USA enacted eugenics programs. Some 60,000 to 70,000 individuals were forcibly sterilized from 1907 through the 1960s.(4) In Germany, millions were killed in the eugenics-driven holocaust.
One would think there would be a deafening cry for Darwin and his works to be canceled in the current political climate. The problem is, most supporters of the “cancel culture” are of an evolutionary worldview; they support today’s means of eugenics.
The vast majority of women having abortions are considered to be “low income” (75%).(5) Minority women are disproportionally having abortions (6.3% of “white” women vs 21.2% of “black” women).(6) It is believed by some that these statistics represent purposeful targeting of low-income and minority communities.(7) Indeed, the late Supreme Court Justice and abortion activist Ruth Bader Ginsburg said in 2009, “Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.”(8)
And now in today’s technological era, there is the ever-growing genetic manipulation of babies that is raising deep moral questions.(9) In the words of embryologist Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz of Cambridge, “We are entering a new era, one where we can manipulate the cellular units of life as skillfully as a potter works clay.”(10)
The importance of Biblical worldview cannot be overstated. It must be taught in homes and churches. World history has witnessed the devastating, deadly effects of evolutionary-based worldviews. If we are to prevent these things in the 21st century, we must make Biblical worldview training an essential part of life.
In his evolutionary worldview of humanity, Darwin wrote, “At the present day civilised nations are everywhere supplanting barbarous nations, excepting where the climate opposes a deadly barrier; and they succeed mainly, though not exclusively, through their arts, which are the products of the intellect.”(1)
Expounding upon his thoughts of civilized and barbarous peoples, he continued, “In a tribe thus rendered more numerous there would always be a rather better chance of the birth of other superior and inventive members. If such men left children to inherit their mental superiority, the chance of the birth of still more ingenious members would be somewhat better, and in a very small tribe decidedly better. Even if they left no children, the tribe would still include their blood-relations; and it has been ascertained by agriculturists that by preserving and breeding from the family of an animal… the desired character has been obtained.”(2)
Darwin concluded, “At some future period… the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate and replace the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes [i.e. less evolved people]… will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilised state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the negro or Australian and the gorilla.”(3)
Darwin clearly believed that peoples of Africa and Australia are less evolved (hardly any different than gorillas) and such peoples will one day be exterminated. His works were then used by men like Herbert Spencer, Francis Galton, Ernst Haeckel, Charles Davenport and many others to promote eugenics-based teachings and policies. In the early 1900s, 32 states in the USA enacted eugenics programs. Some 60,000 to 70,000 individuals were forcibly sterilized from 1907 through the 1960s.(4) In Germany, millions were killed in the eugenics-driven holocaust.
One would think there would be a deafening cry for Darwin and his works to be canceled in the current political climate. The problem is, most supporters of the “cancel culture” are of an evolutionary worldview; they support today’s means of eugenics.
The vast majority of women having abortions are considered to be “low income” (75%).(5) Minority women are disproportionally having abortions (6.3% of “white” women vs 21.2% of “black” women).(6) It is believed by some that these statistics represent purposeful targeting of low-income and minority communities.(7) Indeed, the late Supreme Court Justice and abortion activist Ruth Bader Ginsburg said in 2009, “Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.”(8)
And now in today’s technological era, there is the ever-growing genetic manipulation of babies that is raising deep moral questions.(9) In the words of embryologist Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz of Cambridge, “We are entering a new era, one where we can manipulate the cellular units of life as skillfully as a potter works clay.”(10)
The importance of Biblical worldview cannot be overstated. It must be taught in homes and churches. World history has witnessed the devastating, deadly effects of evolutionary-based worldviews. If we are to prevent these things in the 21st century, we must make Biblical worldview training an essential part of life.
Creation Truth Foundation exists to assist families, individuals, and churches in worldview development. Thank you so very much for your faithful prayers and support.
(1) Charles Darwin. The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex. Published by John Murray, 1871. 1st edition, p. 161.
(2) Ibid., p. 162.
(3) Ibid., pp. 168-9.
(4) Edwin Black, War Against the Weak: Eugenics and America’s Campaign to Create a Master Race. Dialog Press, 2012, p. xvi. See also “The Supreme Court Ruling that led to 70,000 Forced Sterilizations”, Fresh Air, 24 March 2017, <https://www.npr.org/2017/03/24/521360544/the-supreme-court-ruling-that-led-to-70-000-forced-sterilizations>
(5) Jerman J, Jones RK and Onda T, “Characteristics of U.S. Abortion Patients in 2014 and Changes Since 2008”, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2016, <https://www.guttmacher.org/infographic/2016/abortion-patients-are-disproportionately-poor-and-low-income#>
(6) CDC Abortion Surveillance – United States, 2018, published 9/27/2020, <https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/ss/ss6907a1.htm#T5_down>
(7) Steven Ertelt, “79% of Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinics Target Blacks, Hispanics”, LifeNews.com, 16 October 2012, <https://www.lifenews.com/2012/10/16/79-of-planned-parenthood-abortion-clinics-target-blacks-hispanics/>
(8) Interview with New York Times Magazine reporter Emily Bazelon, quoted by The Federalist and National Review
< https://thefederalist.com/2014/09/24/ruth-bader-ginsburg-really-wants-poor-people-to-stop-having-babies/>
< https://www.nationalreview.com/2009/07/ruth-bader-ginsburg-and-question-eugenics-jonah-goldberg/>
(9) See for example: <https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crispr-jennifer-doudna-walter-isaacson-the-code-breaker/>
< https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article/designer-babies-arent-futuristic-theyre-already-here>
< https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/biopolitical-times/designer-babies-all-you-ever-wanted-know-and-more-kicks-webinar-series-genetics>
(2) Ibid., p. 162.
(3) Ibid., pp. 168-9.
(4) Edwin Black, War Against the Weak: Eugenics and America’s Campaign to Create a Master Race. Dialog Press, 2012, p. xvi. See also “The Supreme Court Ruling that led to 70,000 Forced Sterilizations”, Fresh Air, 24 March 2017, <https://www.npr.org/2017/03/24/521360544/the-supreme-court-ruling-that-led-to-70-000-forced-sterilizations>
(5) Jerman J, Jones RK and Onda T, “Characteristics of U.S. Abortion Patients in 2014 and Changes Since 2008”, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2016, <https://www.guttmacher.org/infographic/2016/abortion-patients-are-disproportionately-poor-and-low-income#>
(6) CDC Abortion Surveillance – United States, 2018, published 9/27/2020, <https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/ss/ss6907a1.htm#T5_down>
(7) Steven Ertelt, “79% of Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinics Target Blacks, Hispanics”, LifeNews.com, 16 October 2012, <https://www.lifenews.com/2012/10/16/79-of-planned-parenthood-abortion-clinics-target-blacks-hispanics/>
(8) Interview with New York Times Magazine reporter Emily Bazelon, quoted by The Federalist and National Review
< https://thefederalist.com/2014/09/24/ruth-bader-ginsburg-really-wants-poor-people-to-stop-having-babies/>
< https://www.nationalreview.com/2009/07/ruth-bader-ginsburg-and-question-eugenics-jonah-goldberg/>
(9) See for example: <https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crispr-jennifer-doudna-walter-isaacson-the-code-breaker/>
< https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article/designer-babies-arent-futuristic-theyre-already-here>
< https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/biopolitical-times/designer-babies-all-you-ever-wanted-know-and-more-kicks-webinar-series-genetics>
(10) Kate Womersley, “The Beautiful Science of Embryology”, Prospect Magazine, 3 March 2021, <https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/the-beautiful-science-of-embryology>
As many of you may know, I appreciate space. Not space around me, although the older I get the more I appreciate that as well. The things in the heavens fascinate me and have for a large chunk of my life. I love working with our telescopes, allowing people to see for themselves objects that the Lord made on the 4th day of history. When I was younger I followed our Space Shuttle program, and over the years I have had the opportunity to see a couple of those shuttles around the country. Now it is great to see all the renewed interest in exploring the heavenly creation. I know most of it is for evolutionary reasons, yet over and over again something is discovered that points to the trustworthiness of God’s Word. After all, we are to study His creation as Genesis 1:28 states. On a recent trip to El Paso, it occurred to me that Blue Origin’s launch facility is in west Texas somewhere. After some quick searching I realized we were within an hour and half of it, and there was a rescheduled launch window during the time of our meeting. So, with some persuading of my colleagues, we arose early one morning to make the launch. We made it with just minutes to spare. It was spectacular! The whole launch to just beyond the Karman Line (space boundary, 62 miles/100km) and return of the rocket and capsule is about ten minutes total. While Blue Origin is best known for its New Shepherd rocket that carries paying customers to space and back with the biggest windows ever in a capsule, this NS-29 launch was purely experimental with a payload of instruments to measure simulated lunar gravity. Even though it was not a Saturn V, Space Shuttle, Starship or Falcon launch, it was great to hear and feel a launch for the first time, from blast off to the sonic boom return. It has piqued my desire to see a bigger launch now. As I began to reflect on what I experienced, the Lord reminded me of His design. Earth, our home planet, is so well designed for life. There is literally nowhere in all the universe like it. Yet He gave us the ability to discover creation beyond it. The only reason we can launch rockets and do space exploration is because He set it up in an orderly way. Physics works because He established it to work in a predictable fashion. As much as we may never understand everything in the universe from our position here, it works on an ordered reality that is reinforced by God’s Word. This is what drove Sir Isaac Newton in his understanding of physics. He wrote, “The motions which the planets now have could not spring from any natural cause alone but were by an intelligent Agent.” Evolutionists may come up with theories about the origin of things in the heavens, but over and over again they are being shown through experimentation and observation to be wrong. The Lord set the order of everything in the beginning and sustains it by His Word (Hebrews 1:3). So as you look to the heavens tonight, gaze into the depths of space and observe the different facets the Lord placed up there for our eyes (Genesis 1:17). Peer through a telescope at the lesser light of the moon with marvel and anticipation of further human study in the coming years. Check out the amazing observations being made by the James Webb telescope from deep in space. All of these place a perspective of how awesome our Creator is and how much we depend on Him. Our design becomes more and more obvious with every discovery, yet in our universe we appear so minuscule and fragile. Thanks be to God that His infinite focus has, is and always will be here on us! Blessings.
Moses & History (part 2)