Eugenics and Other Evils

In 1922, the world was toying with the idea of eugenics with the stated goal of improving the human race. Christian writer G.K. Chesterton was an outspoken opponent of eugenics, realizing it would be used for more evil than good. Racial groups would be marginalized, the poor would suffer more significantly than the rich, and it would"poison" society. Chesterton lobbied against legislative actions promoting a scientifically organized state. He lectured and wrote essays arguing against giving eugenics the slightest foothold. Even though Chesterton was accused of not thinking rationally and being an alarmist yet, he was successful in causing Parliament to approach the eugenics idea with great caution and care. England eventually dropped any such legislation altogether.

Wailand Groenendyk
CCEL Staff Writer