Maybe you’re coming from a good place from this, so I’ll avoid tearing into you and just assume you haven’t really been exposed to people who challenge really shitty rightwing opinions.

A simple example for why “Eugenics”[1] isn’t simply a scientific concept (without severe bastardizing of the word “science”) are people born with Down Syndrome. Abortions for fetuses shown to have Down Syndrome is a contentious topic because many individuals with Down Syndrome have an extremely high quality of life, and many find it insulting to consider them any less human or worthy of life.

But from a genetic perspective, Down Syndrome is objectively bad because it reduces fertility. In the most objective sense, less fertility = less genetic utility. But aside from being fucking horrific, there’s nothing inherently “scientific” about that, just like there’s nothing “scientific” about choosing one chess opening over a different chess opening due to objective measurements like win percentage. We’re not challenging hypotheses in this hypothetical, we’re applying an arbitrary utility function.

[1] using a capital E here intentionally to refer to the idea that humans can be bred to be superior, and inferior humans can be culled (disgusted even typing that out).

Edit: “artificial selection” is a scientific concept; “eugenics” is what I can’t believe we’re still talking about in 2026 in supposed polite company. That’s what HN is supposed to be, right? Polite company? Jfc, “eugenics”.