Key Terms in the Compre passages

Passage 1

Eugenics

—the study of how to arrange reproduction within a human population to increase the occurrence of heritable characteristics regarded as desirable. 

—Developed largely by Sir Francis Galton as a method of improving the human race, eugenics was increasingly discredited as unscientific and racially biased during the 20th century, especially after the adoption of its doctrines by the Nazis in order to justify their treatment of Jews, disabled people, and other minority groups.

Genome

—the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism

Cloning

—Biology an organism or cell, or group of organisms or cells, produced asexually from one ancestor or stock, to which they are genetically identical: vines representing all the 15 existing clones were planted.

Passage 2

Transhumanism

—the belief or theory that the human race can evolve beyond its current physical and mental limitations, especially by means of science and technology.

Cryogenics

1 relating to or involving the branch of physics that deals with the production and effects of very low temperatures

2 relating to the deep-freezing of the bodies of people who have just died, in the hope that scientific advances may allow them to be revived in the future

Promethean

—relating to or characteristic of the demigod Prometheus, especially in being rebelliously creative and innovative