euphenics

English edit

From eu- +‎ phenotype +‎ -ics.

euphenics (uncountable)

Measures intended to make biological (phenotypic) improvements to organisms after birth — commonly, but not necessarily, as applied to humans.
- 1977, Theodosius Dobzhansky, Evolution:
  Euphenics is the science of management by environmental manipulation of the manifestations of genetic endowments. The symptoms of many genetic diseases that are now incurable will surely be assuaged by progress in euphenics. Whether euphenics will be sufficient to cure all hereditary diseases in the long run is a different question. The genetic endowment itself may require rehabilitation or improvement. This is the realm of eugenics. Negative and positive eugenics may be distinguished. The former aims to relieve human populations of genetic diseases and defects; the latter is a more ambitious project — improvement of the genetic endowment of mankind. Of course, the distinction is not clear-cut. An elimination or decrease in the incidence of genetic infirmities constitutes an improvement of the gene pool of the species. One may wish, however, to go much beyond this relatively modest goal and aim for the creation of novel genetic endowments, superior to any existing ones. Some people go so far as to contemplate making a "new man."