Selective Breeding: How the Far-Right Resurrected Eugenics

Selective Breeding: How the Far-Right Resurrected Eugenics—Because Progress is Overrated

By Michael Smith

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s 2024, and we’re somehow back to debating who gets to be considered fully human. Yes, the far-right has resurrected eugenics, wrapped it in a “Make America Great Again” bow, and is parading it around as public policy. Spoiler alert: it's the same old toxic ideology, just with a shiny new coat of fascism. And if you think overturning Roe v. Wade was just about “protecting life,” think again—it’s all part of a broader, darker agenda.

The Not-So-Great Origins of Eugenics:

Once upon a time in the late 19th century, Sir Francis Galton, cousin of Charles Darwin, had the brilliant idea that we could breed better humans. Fast forward to the early 20th century, and America was all in on this pseudoscience. Our country led the way in forced sterilizations, anti-immigrant policies, and other charming attempts at “purifying” the population. It's like we wanted to be the world's eugenics role model. Mission accomplished, considering Hitler took notes.

America’s Awkward Romance with Eugenics:

Eugenics wasn't just a phase; it was an obsession. The U.S. became the global leader in crafting policies that aimed to engineer a superior race. Sterilization laws, immigration restrictions, and racist ideologies were baked into our laws, all while wrapping themselves in the flag of American exceptionalism. Sure, the horrors of World War II made it uncool to talk openly about eugenics, but the ideas never really died—they just went underground, waiting for the right moment to re-emerge.

Eugenics 2.0: The Modern Resurgence:

Today, eugenics has been rebranded for the 21st century, packaged neatly in far-right rhetoric that targets immigrants, women, and anyone who doesn’t fit the mold of the “ideal” American. The overturning of Roe v. Wade didn’t happen in a vacuum—it’s part of a long history of controlling who gets to reproduce. If you're a white, Protestant, middle-to-upper-class American, congratulations! You made the cut. Everyone else? Not so much.

Immigration and Reproductive Rights: The New Battleground:

In the early 20th century, eugenics shaped immigration laws and sterilization policies. Fast forward to today, and not much has changed. Whether it’s the obsession with building walls or the crusade against abortion, these policies are all about controlling the population. When Donald Trump called for a Muslim ban or referred to countries as “shitholes,” he wasn’t just spouting off; he was channeling the same eugenicist logic that once inspired the Johnson-Reed Act of 1924, which sought to preserve America’s racial purity by restricting immigration from “undesirable” countries.

The Reality of Roe’s Overturn:

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, it was a major win for the far-right's eugenic agenda. Let’s be real: this wasn’t just about “saving babies.” It was about controlling who gets to have babies and whose lives are considered worth protecting. States across the country rushed to implement abortion bans, disproportionately affecting women of color and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds—groups that eugenicists have always sought to control.

The Continuing Eugenic Legacy:

Today’s policies are a continuation of the eugenic legacy that never really went away. From immigration restrictions to attacks on reproductive rights, the goal is the same: to control who gets to be part of society and who doesn’t. The far-right’s version of America is one where only the “right” kind of people—white, Christian, and conservative—get to thrive. Everyone else is pushed to the margins, or worse, erased entirely.

Why This Matters (And Why You Should Care):

This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a warning. The far-right’s embrace of eugenics, whether through anti-immigrant policies, the assault on reproductive rights, or attacks on LGBTQ+ communities, is a clear and present danger to our democracy. We’ve fought this battle before, and we won. But the fight isn’t over, and if we don’t push back now, these toxic ideas could take root once again.

Eugenics is like that villain in a horror movie that just won’t die. The far-right is resurrecting these old, ugly ideas and repackaging them as patriotism. But make no mistake: this is about control—control over who gets to exist, who gets to thrive, and who gets to be forgotten. The time to fight back is now. Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past.

Further Reading:

Remember, knowledge is power—so is your vote. Make sure you use both