dysgenesic

Adjective

dysgenesic (comparative more dysgenesic, superlative most dysgenesic)

1. Of, pertaining to, or causing dysgenesis.
2. (more broadly) Tending to stunt to interfere with normal healthy development.
   • Polymorphism under Dysgenesic Conditions. The variations manifested by bacteria are still more curious when the latter are placed under conditions unfavorable to their development.1903, Henri Roger, Infectious diseases, page 45
   • At the same time social change without corresponding environmental changes in other spheres turns itself on to dysgenesic trends.1976, Parwaiz Shami, Education in Search of Fundamentals, page 319
3. Infertile when crossed with a similar hybrid but marginally fertile when crossed with one of the parent species.
   • But the degree of fertility of these crossings varies greatly in different species, for while some are perfectly fertile (eugenesic), the progeny of others will rarely breed except with a mate belonging to one of the original species (paragenesic), whiles in other cases the hybrids produced are...1864 July, “Science”, in The Westminster Review, volumes 82-84, page 103
   • Fecundation is […] dysgenesic when the hybrids, although mutually sterile, are fecund when crossed with an individual of one or the other of the parent races;1906, Jean Finot, Race Prejudice, page 155
4. (broadly, eugenics) Involving reproduction by couples of different races, believed to lead to inferior offspring.
   • He would encourage by bonuses, eugenic and discourage by fines dysgenesic marriages among his employees.1917 January, L. Oza Keshavlal, “Economics of Indian Agriculture and Industry”, in The Hindustan Review, volume 35, number 209, page 13
   • Our whole urban and industrial life is avowedly dysgenesic.1918, Birth Control Review - Volume 2; Volumes 4-5, page 16
5. Tending to promote childlessness.
   • While waiting for separate colleges to become coeducational, as they eventually will, their present dysgenesic tendency can probably be reduced by the gradual introduction of men teachers into the women's colleges.1914 March 28, “To Urge the Good To Marry”, in The Literary Digest, volume 48, page 693
   • […] conditions is not wholly unfavourable or dysgenesic, and it is to be remarked that the decline in rural population has not been accompanied by any pro rata falling off in agricultural productivity.1924, Census of Canada 1851/52- - Volume 1, page xxxi