Eugenics (also known as Negative Eugenics, Eugenics, Negative): The attempt to improve the PHENOTYPES of future generations of the human population by fostering the reproduction of those with favorable phenotypes and GENOTYPES and hampering or preventing BREEDING by those with undesirable phenotypes and genotypes. The

NIH MeSH · D005053Humanities

Eugenics

Also known asNegative Eugenics · Eugenics, Negative · Positive Eugenics · Eugenics, Positive

Definition

The attempt to improve the PHENOTYPES of future generations of the human population by fostering the reproduction of those with favorable phenotypes and GENOTYPES and hampering or preventing BREEDING by those with undesirable phenotypes and genotypes. The concept is largely discredited. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)

MeSH classification

  • K01.400.307

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Common questions about Eugenics

What does Eugenics mean in medicine?
The attempt to improve the PHENOTYPES of future generations of the human population by fostering the reproduction of those with favorable phenotypes and GENOTYPES and hampering or preventing BREEDING by those with undesirable phenotypes and genotypes. The concept is largely discredited. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Eugenics known by any other names?
Yes. Eugenics is also referred to as Negative Eugenics, Eugenics, Negative, Positive Eugenics, Eugenics, Positive in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Eugenics sit in the medical classification?
Eugenics falls under the broader medical category "Humanities" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: K01.400.307). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Eugenics?
For a plain-language explanation of Eugenics - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Eugenics" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D005053) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗