If I were a Eugenist - G K Chesterton

Now, even if I could share the Eugenic contempt for human rights, even if I could start gaily on the Eugenic campaign, I should not begin by removing feeble-minded persons. I have known as many families in as many classes as most men ; and I cannot remember meeting any very monstrous human suffering arising out of the presence of such insufficient and negative types. There seem to be comparatively few of them ; and those few by no means the worst burdens upon domestic happiness. I do not hear of them often ; I do not hear of them doing much more harm than good ; and in the few cases I know well they are not only regarded with human affection, but can be put to certain limited forms of human use. Even if I were a Eugenist, then I should not personally elect to waste my time locking up the feeble-minded. The people I should lock up would be the strong-minded. I have known hardly any cases of mere mental weakness making a family a failure ; I have known eight or nine cases of violent and exaggerated force of character making a family a hell. If the strong- minded could be segregated it would quite certainly be better for their friends and families.

Eugenics and Other Evils