agenemism

Agenemism is a term used to describe the belief that the genetic makeup of a person, particularly their race or ethnicity, determines their character, abilities, or potential. This perspective is rooted in the idea that certain genetic traits are inherently superior or inferior, and that these traits are passed down through generations. Agenemism can manifest in various forms, including racial hierarchies, genetic determinism, and the belief in the superiority of certain racial or ethnic groups.

The term "agenemism" was coined by the sociologist and geneticist Richard Lewontin in 1972. It is derived from the Greek words "ageneia," meaning "without genes," and "ismos," meaning "belief." Agenemism is often contrasted with eugenics, which is the practice of selective breeding for desirable traits, typically in humans. While eugenics involves deliberate intervention to improve the genetic makeup of a population, agenemism is a belief system that accepts the idea of genetic superiority without advocating for specific actions to change it.

Agenemism is a form of pseudoscience and has been widely discredited by the scientific community. Geneticists and evolutionary biologists have shown that human traits are the result of complex interactions between genes and the environment, and that there is no single gene or set of genes that determines a person's race, ethnicity, or abilities. Despite this, agenemism continues to influence social and political discourse, particularly in discussions about race, ethnicity, and social inequality.