As the sun set on the 19th century, a new theory, called eugenics, was just beginning to emerge. Eugenics is the idea that human mental, moral, temperamental, and physiological traits are passed down from generation to generation and that society should attempt to encourage the reproduction of those with favorable traits and discourage or eliminate those with unfavorable traits. less favorable traits. In the early 20th century, eugenics was put into practice across the rich world. This increase, not only in popularity but also in application, is best seen when placed within the broader context of modernity. Although the rationale for much of the theory comes from the work of Charles Darwin, it is widely considered that he was not a proponent of it. No, the idea that human beings can play God and use science to change society by controlling reproduction is a product of modernism and techno-nationalism. The rapid development of science led people to believe that their power was unlimited, even going so far as to create a utopian society. We must first look at the obvious factors; evolution and heredity. Charles Darwin's theory itself was a product of its times, drawing on developments in fields as diverse as paleontology and animal husbandry. Darwin's closest predecessor was Lamarck, who proposed that organisms passed on to their offspring the adaptations they had developed during their lives (Bowler and Morus). Darwin theorized that over time, nature had selected for the most advantageous traits by giving those who were most fit to survive a greater chance of reproduction. In his 1859 treatise On the Origin of Species, Darwin outlined and provided the arguments justifying this concept. However, he largely avoided mentioning human beings for fear of being rejected and...... middle of paper ......k when social injustice occurred (Paul). There was great national pride and a desire to represent their country's technological developments as superior, to represent their country as superior (Pearson). Works Cited Bowler, Peter J. and Iwan Rhys Morus. Doing Modern Science: A Historical Study. Chicago, Illinois [ua: Univ. of Chicago, 2010. Print. Edgerton, David. “Nations”. The clash of the old: technology and world history since 1900. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2007. 103-37. Print.Fan, Fa-Ti. "Eugenics." Binghamton University, Binghamton. Conference.Fan, Fa-Ti. “Evolution and Genetics.” Binghamton University, Binghamton. February 28, 2011. Conference.Fan, Fa-Ti. "Evolution." Binghamton University, Binghamton. May 21, 2011. Conference. Paul, Diane B. Controlling Human Heredity: 1865 to the Present. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Humanities International, 1995. Print.