Eugenics and Genetics: dissemination project. (360G-Wellcome-094076_Z_10_Z)

There is a lot of confusion about what exactly eugenics is and about some of the ethical arguments closely associated with eugenics. With this is mind, the main aim ofthis Dissemination Project is to inform ethical discussion both within and between the following key groups: Activist, Campaigning, or Educational Organisations with specialist interests in genetic and reproductive technologies Health Care Professionals involved in Reproductive Medicine Policy and Regulatory Bodies with remits or interests in genetics or reproduction Stakeholder Organisations representing people with disabilities, people with genetic disorders, or actual/prospective recipients of infertility treatment services The proposed dissemination methods are: (a) three or four accessible briefing papers; (b) at least two papers for health care professional journals; (c) a series of (three) stakeholder engagement seminars. One important conclusion of my past research is that we ought to be cautious about using the term eugenics', because its meaning is disputed and unclear, and because it can beused as a powerful emotive term. Therefore, much of the proposed dissemination activity will not use, or at least will not foreground, the term eugenics' since that would be counterproductive and may well damage attempts to enhance understanding of the underlying arguments and concepts.