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Eugenics is a field of study focused on improving or altering the genetic quality of human populations through selective breeding, genetic intervention, or other methods aimed at enhancing desirable traits and reducing undesirable ones. The term comes from the Greek words eu (good or well) and genes (born), meaning “well-born.”
The concept of eugenics involves understanding how genes influence human characteristics, such as physical appearance, intelligence, or disease resistance, and attempting to guide the inheritance of these traits. Historically, eugenics was pursued through selective reproduction—encouraging certain individuals to have more children while discouraging or preventing reproduction among others considered to have undesirable traits. Modern genetic science has expanded this idea to include direct genetic modifications, using technologies like gene editing (CRISPR) to potentially correct harmful mutations or introduce beneficial traits.
Analyzing the options:
People of European region: Incorrect. Eugenics is not about studying specific geographical populations.
Different races of mankind: While it deals with humans, it focuses on genetics, not just racial classification.
Genetic of plants: That field is called plant genetics or plant breeding, not eugenics.
Altering human beings by changing their genetic components: ✅ Correct. Eugenics is specifically about modifying or controlling human heredity to improve genetic quality.
None of these: Incorrect, as option A defines the term accurately.
It’s important to note that eugenics has a controversial history, as unethical practices were conducted in the past under this concept, including forced sterilizations and discrimination. Modern genetics now focuses on ethical applications like preventing genetic diseases while respecting individual rights.
Thus, eugenics is the study of improving human populations by altering or controlling genetic components, forming a significant part of genetics and human biology studies.
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