Are genetic determinism and eugenics different theories or, different names for the same theory? If they are different, what distinguishes one from the other? I ask, because this is the first time that I’ve heard German and Russian intellectuals credited with the invention of eugenics (a link to historical information on the origins would be much appreciated 😊).

In southwest Asia and northern Africa, scientists are exploring the potential that sickle cell anemia is the early indication of evolutionary immunity at work (humans are adapting to malaria). Genetic advantages enabled people from Africa to survive in Barbados, while Europeans died at alarming rates (suggesting genetic weaknesses).

Personally, I think we are a long way from understanding intelligence. Our current understanding of intelligence is limited to the measurement of human behaviour within manufactured environments (not natural environments). Inasmuch as man-made environments are altered faster than human adaptive capacities, I think we are in danger of inadvertently weeding out the healthiest, strongest, and most mentally capable members of our species. We don’t even know what healthy means.

One more thought… I think we humans need to examine, dissect and study “intellectual environments”. Thanks to technology the “manufacturing of thought” is rapidly escalating while the outcomes appear to be negatively impacting human reproductive health at an equally rapid rate. The increase in psychological impairments is of particular concern to me as well.

PS… this was an easily digested essay and nicely written too. I always appreciate an author who is both willing and capable of writing at my level.