Euthenics: Branch of Applied Genetics | Genetics

Euthenics is a branch of applied genetics under which are studied the methods of providing, the best environmental conditions to ‘nurture’ to ensure complete expression of all eugenic traits in the developing children. Euthenics recommends the following methods to ensure maximum expression of genes of superior traits in the children.

1. Selection of Children with Superior Traits:

The primary requirement in euthenics is to select children having genes of superior traits. An effective way to do this is to put the children on intelligence tests through questions based upon the capabilities of thinking, memory, logic and debate, self-control, etc. Following two methods have been employed in psychobiology to test the intelligence of an individual.

(i) Stanford-Binet’s classical method:

In this method, the child is given progressively more difficult problems until he is finally unable to solve them. Thus, a wide range of mental ability from complete incompetence to excellent comprehension, has been reported for each age group.

The mental ability of particular age group is called mental age. The mental age of a child when, is divided by his actual chronologic age and resultant quotient is then multiplied by 100 to give the intelligence quotient or I.Q. of his.

When I.Q. of different children of different mental ages are determined by this method, a continuous series of children from idiot to genius is obtained. The I.Q. of different children has been tabulated in table 53.1.

If, the I.Q. values of different children are placed on a graph, one gets a normal distribution curve, a characteristic of multiple gene inheritance. The intelligence trait in actual genetical experiments has been found to be determined by more than one pair of genes (polygenic).

(ii) Modern methods:

More recent intelligence tests have provided measures of primary abilities such as the ability to reason inductively, the ability to memorize and the ability to visualize objects in three dimensions.

Special abilities-musical, artistic, mechanical and mathematical have a hereditary basis and their inheritance is separate from that of general intelligence. From a study of inheritance of musical ability, Philiptschenko concluded that four pairs of genes are involved in it.

2. Promotion of Superior Students:

After selecting superior children (and following genetic basis of their superior traits), provisions for their best education and ‘nurture’, must be made by adopting the following methods:

(i) Opening special schools:

Special schools with best facilities of education should be opened for superior students where their full mental development can take place.

(ii) Special curricula and methods:

Special curricula must be framed for these students and superior teachers and sophisticated equipment’s (e.g., computer education) and techniques should be made available to them.

(iii) Extracurricular activities:

Besides prescribed curricula, facilities of extra-curricular activities such as games and sports, debates, quizzes, scouting, military training, cultural activities, etc., should also be provided to these students for their multifaceted development.

(iv) Habitat and nutrition:

Best possible conditions of habitat and nutrition must be provided to superior children. Their daily routine should be well-regulated and coordinated.

(v) Tourism:

Tourism significantly helps in development of intelligence and experience. Therefore, the facilities of tourism should also be made available to superior children.

After subsidization as described above, it is also absolutely necessary to fix these well-endowed students to make maximum use of their hereditary superiority.