What does the term "eugenics" refer to in biotechnology?

The term "eugenics" specifically refers to the practice or study of selecting certain traits in human reproduction, historically aimed at improving the genetic quality of a population. In biotechnology, this concept is often associated with the intentional selection of desirable characteristics in offspring, by methods such as genetic counseling, selective breeding, or more modern techniques like gene editing.

This practice has garnered significant ethical discussions, particularly regarding its implications on social justice and the potential for discrimination. Choices that center on other aspects, such as the study of genetic mutations, the ethics of cloning, or the application of CRISPR technology, relate to different areas of biotechnology and ethics but do not capture the precise aim of eugenics, which is the selection and enhancement of traits in unborn individuals.