Question

Genetic engineering is connected with
a. Euphenics
b. Euthenics
c. Eugenics
d. All the above

Answer 1

Hint: The primary motto of genetic engineering is to perform specific actions that are involved in improving the human race by disease prevention as well as its cure and to selectively permit the inheritance of an advantageous trait amongst others. This was tried to be achieved by different scientists all over the globe to date by different practices.

Complete answer

Eugenics: Eugenics was first coined by a scientist named, Sir Francis Galton in the year 1883. He is commonly referred to as “Father of Eugenics”. ‘Eu’- means ‘good’ and ‘genetics’ means ‘growing’ in Greek. Eugenics deals with a branch of biology that aims in improving the genetics of the human population. It is of two types.

- Positive eugenics: The inheritance of healthier and improved genetic traits for future generations is supported by positive eugenics.

- Negative eugenics: Negative eugenics deals with abandoning the inheritance of inferior and defective germ plasm for future generations.

Example: Development of gene therapy to modify the genes and to prevent certain diseases.

Euthenics: Euthenics is a Greek term where ‘Eu means well’; ‘the’ means ‘root of’ and ‘tithemi’ means ‘to cause’. Euthenics deals with a branch of biology that aims in improving the human race by enhancing the environment as well as the living condition by providing them with an ample amount of nutrients, unpolluted environmental conditions, superior education, and having a substantial number of medical amenities.

Example: Development of vaccines to prevent diseases.

Euphenics: Euphenics deals with genetic disorders and their treatment strategies. It is involved in the improvement of phenotypic traits post the birth of a person and is performed to correct defective genes.

Example: Detection of phenylketonuria in babies and controlling this condition by administration of proper diet to the babies.

So, the correct answer is ‘All the above’.

Note: Germline editing (i.e.,) genetic manipulation performed on the sperm and the egg are not permitted to date. Genetic modifications can only be performed in somatic cells (other cells except for germline cells). This is because no babies were born by genetic manipulations on germline cells and the consequences of germline editing may be severe.