Who Judges the 'Right to Be Born'?

Hankyoreh confronts the chilling history and enduring ethical quandaries of eugenics, a concept that sought to 'improve' the human race through selective breeding and elimination. The article powerfully links the horrific 'mercy killing' policies of Nazi Germany, initiated under Hitler's obsession with Aryan supremacy, to the broader, more insidious development of eugenics. It moves beyond portraying eugenics as a mere historical aberration, instead reframing it as rooted in seemingly benign desires: the wish for a healthy child, the societal drive to reduce costs, and the impulse to preemptively manage risks. This nuanced approach is crucial for understanding how such dangerous ideologies can take root.

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The problem of being born

The piece, referencing Eric Peterson's 'The Birth Question,' challenges contemporary notions of 'good' or 'bad' genes and questions who holds the authority to decide who is 'fit' to be born. This is particularly relevant today, as advancements in biotechnology offer the possibility of 'designer babies' and even the modification of future generations' potential. Hankyoreh warns that the pursuit of 'superior' traits in offspring carries the dark shadow of eugenics, highlighting that sophisticated choices in reproduction can easily become sophisticated forms of exclusion.

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Eugenics

From a South Korean perspective, this article serves as a critical examination of societal values and technological progress. It prompts reflection on the potential for discrimination embedded within the pursuit of perfection, urging a cautious approach to genetic technologies. Hankyoreh emphasizes that the desire for a 'better' lineage, when unchecked, can lead to the marginalization and devaluation of lives deemed 'imperfect,' echoing historical tragedies and posing urgent questions for our future.

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The problem is when those desires lead to the exclusion and erasure of certain lives.