History Main / GeniusBreedingAct

* The Earth in ''SchlockMercenary'' has a Gene Pool Improvement Act ("[[{{Tagline}} Evolution through legislative selection]]") that forbids people with low intelligence from having children naturally. Fortunately, there is the option of buying improved genes from a genetic engineering company.

Note the frequent pairing with plots about eugenics.

In RealLife, absent long-term (think hundreds to thousands of generations) of consistent selection humans tend to breed back towards the mean, so expect eugenics only to decrease genetic diversity if it does anything at all. Genetic engineering won't get you far either, as many forms of intelligence (be it [[GoodWithNumbers logical]] or [[TheEmpath emotional]] intelligence) don't appear to be hereditary and those that are depend on far too many genes in far too complex ways. It is easy to disrupt the functioning of the brain (i.e. having three copies of chromosome 13 or chromosome 21 rather than the normal two), but very difficult to improve it. There is no magic Einstein potion.

* The Arisians of ''{{Lensman}}'' have been running massive breeding programs for millions of years to develop humans with enough mental ability (both in intelligence and PsychicPowers) to finally defeat the Eddorians. To do this, they have used infiltrators in human society, control over the [[AmplifierArtifact Amplifier Artifacts]] that allow Lensmen to use their PsychicPowers, and outright MindManipulation to make sure that the right people breed with each other (and, even more importantly, that people who aren't supposed to breed before it's time ''don't''). When it comes time for Kimball and Clarissa to be married and produce the Children of the Lens, virtually the entire Galactic Patrol and the universe itself seem to [[ShipperOnDeck start shipping them together]].

* In ''EndersGame'', this is mentioned as one reason the government allowed Ender to be born, despite being a usually illegal third child. His parents and siblings were so intelligent, they figured any future kids would have to be around the same intelligence, and they still needed their genius military commander.

* In the first ''{{Dune}}'' book, the Bene Gesserit had a breeding program and required specific members of the Sisterhood to participate. The goal wasn't generic smarts, but specifically creating a super-prescient Kwisatz Haderach. [[spoiler: [[{{GoneHorriblyRight It worked.]]]]

* In the first ''{{Dune}}'' book, the Bene Gesserit had a breeding program and required specific members of the Sisterhood to participate. The goal wasn't generic smarts, but specifically creating a super-prescient Kwisatz Haderach. [[spoiler: It worked.]]

In any world with a basic (and we talk about [[DidNotDoTheResearch very basic]] here) understanding of genetics, and of the advantages that intelligence can bestow upon an individual, somebody is going to get the idea to selectively breed the best and the brightest to each other to produce smarter and smarter people. When a leader, government, or other higher-up starts to command, pressure or incentivize the smartest people to pair off for breeding purposes, you have this trope.

In RealLife, absent long-term (think hundreds to thousands of generations) of consistent selection humans always breed back towards the mean, so expect eugenics only to decrease genetic diversity if they do anything at all. Genetic engineering won't get you far, too, as many forms of intelligence (be it [[GoodWithNumbers logical]] or [[TheEmpath emotional]] intelligence) don't appear to be hereditary and those that are depend on far too many genes in far too complex ways. It is easy to disrupt the functioning of the brain, but very difficult to improve it. There is no magic Einstein potion.

In RealLife, humans always breed back towards the mean, so expect eugenics only to decrease genetic diversity if they do anything at all. Genetic engineering won't get you far, too, as the many forms of intelligence (be it [[GoodWithNumbers logical]] or [[TheEmpath emotional]] intelligence) don't appear to be hereditary. No encoding genes = no magic Einstein potion.

* In ''TheNumberOfTheBeast'', it's briefly suggested that the four members of the ''Gay Deceiver'' crew ought to have babies together, as they're all extremely intelligent and would presumably pass that on to their offspring. By the time we meet them in the sequel, ''Literature/TheCatWhoWalksThroughWalls'', they have, and the kids are indeed geniuses.

* In {{Larry Niven}}'s ''KnownSpace'' stories, the Earth is so overpopulated that in order to have children at all, one has to be extraordinarily talented (high intelligence, good teeth, superior eyesight, cancer resistance, etc.). A very few Einstein-level geniuses get Unlimited Breeding Licenses that basically allow them to have all the kids they want.

* In David Brin's ''{{Uplift}}'' series, humans use both genetic engineering and selective breeding to improve the intelligence of their uplifted dolphins and chimpanzees. Most chimps and 'fins have to apply for a license to reproduce. The ones with unlimited breeding licenses are the smartest and most talented of their generation. It's stated that most alien clans have similar or stricter breeding programs for their client races.

* In {{Larry Niven}}'s ''Known Space'' stories, the Earth is so overpopulated that in order to have children at all, one has to be extraordinarily talented (high intelligence, good teeth, superior eyesight, cancer resistance, etc.). A very few Einstein-level geniuses get Unlimited Breeding Licenses that basically allow them to have all the kids they want.

* ''Sequence'' [[spoiler: The entire plot of the game is the main leads are in a {{Batman Gambit}} arranged to make them fall in love and reproduce.]]

Compare StalkerWithATestTube, SuperBreedingProgram, and ShipperOnDeck. For genius cast members getting together in general, see PairTheSmartOnes.

In any world with a basic understanding of genetics, and of the advantages that intelligence can bestow upon an individual, somebody is going to get the idea to selectively breed the best and the brightest to each other to produce smarter and smarter people. When a leader, government, or other higher-up starts to command, pressure or incentivize the smartest people to pair off for breeding purposes, you have this trope.

* The premise behind the 1994 romantic comedy ''I.Q''. Albert Einstein does some PlayingCyrano when his niece is attracted to a garage mechanic but insists on marrying an intelligent stuck-up JerkAss so their children will have a high IQ. Einstein and his fellow scientists make the mechanic look smarter than he is -- she eventually sees through the ruse [[AllsWellThatEndsWell but marries him anyway]].

[[folder:Real Life]]
* This was official policy for a while in Singapore. The results have yet to be fully seen.
* This is the point of eugenics -- to enhance mankind by supporting breeding of best specimens and inhibiting that of worse. Of course, it ended in massive WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong.
* Many regular sperm banks allow the men offering their "product" to put down their IQ, and other things indicating their intelligence like degrees, in case women want to choose their donor based on intelligence. Some sperm banks even specialize in this, taking only sperm from individuals whose IQ is over a certain range.
[[/folder]]

* In ''TheNumberOfTheBeast'', it's briefly suggested that the four members of the ''Gay Deceiver'' crew ought to have babies together, as they're all extremely intelligent and would presumably pass that on to their offspring.

* ''BraveNewWorld'' has a very developed version of this trope. Embryos are created in labs, and people are born into different classes: Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Epsilon. These groups are engineered to have different intelligence levels both through genetic selection and differences in their artificial fetal environment; for example, an Alpha is made from Alpha gametes ''and'' incubated in an optimal fetal environment.

* In the Fanfic/RelationshipsSeries, The "Higher Ups" actually were pushing Yuuno to get with Nanoha and trying to keep Fate from being near Nanoha to push this through.

* The Arisians of {{Lensman}} have been running massive breeding programs for millions of years to develop humans with enough mental ability (both in intelligence and PsychicPowers) to finally defeat the Eddorians. To do this, they have used infiltrators in human society, control over the [[AmplifierArtifact Amplifier Artifacts]] that allow Lensmen to use their PsychicPowers, and outright MindManipulation to make sure that the right people breed with each other (and, even more importantly, that people who aren't supposed to breed before it's time ''don't''). When it comes time for Kimball and Clarissa to be married and produce the Children of the Lens, virtually the entire Galactic Patrol and the universe itself seem to [[ShipperOnDeck start shipping them together]].

* In the first {{Dune}} book, the Bene Gesserit had a breeding program and required specific members of the Sisterhood to participate. The goal wasn't generic smarts, but specifically creating a super-prescient Kwisatz Haderach. [[spoiler: It worked.]]
* In David Brin's Uplift series, humans use both genetic engineering and selective breeding to improve the intelligence of their uplifted dolphins and chimpanzees. Most chimps and 'fins have to apply for a license to reproduce. The ones with unlimited breeding licenses are the smartest and most talented of their generation. It's stated that most alien clans have similar or stricter breeding programs for their client races.

* One episode of LawAndOrderSVU dealt with smart and/or successful men getting sperm-jacked by an unscrupulous woman and her mother for use at a geniuses-only sperm bank.

* WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}} mentions a Genius Breeding Act from a time when aliens landed on Earth and forced the smartest members to mate continuously. Farnsworth was disappointed that the latest alien invasion wasn't going to involve this.

* Futurama mentions a Genius Breeding Act from a time when aliens landed on Earth and forced the smartest members to mate continuously. Farnsworth was disappointed that the latest alien invasion wasn't going to involve this.

[[redirect:PairTheSmartOnes]]

If a show features two [[TVGenius geniuses]] of similar age and compatible sexual orientation, chances are they'll end up together. Works particularly well if they're {{Teen Genius}}es. An in-universe invocation of the GeekyTurnOn.

It's common for such relationships to start cleanly and quickly, avoiding WillTheyOrWontThey altogether, and proceed somewhat more smoothly than whatever other characters may be in a relationship, thus often turning them into a BetaCouple. Apparently, love ''doesn't'' [[LoveMakesYouDumb make you dumb]] if you're a [[TheSmartGuy genius]].

If the writers don't do it, the [[{{Shipping}} shippers]] will.
----
!!Examples

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* Nanami tries to invoke this and tempt Touma into a FaceHeelTurn in ''DigimonSavers'', but he doesn't bite.
** Ken and Miyako/Yolei of "DigimonAdventure02" [[YourMileageMayVary might count]] though it might depend on whether or not Ken retains the [[ChildProdigy kid genius]] traits he had as the Digimon Emperor.
*** Pretty sure Miyako's not quite a genius. Intelligent, though. They should have become hackers together.
* Benny and Greenback Jane in ''BlackLagoon''.
* Averted in ''{{Bakuman}}''; Takagi is made to choose between two girls who had been vying for his attention. He rejects [[InsufferableGenius Iwase]] due to the fact she wouldn't let him continue to write manga, and instead picks [[GenkiGirl Miyoshi]] because she promises to support him, even if it meant he'd have less time to spend with her.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Film]]
* Mitch and Jordan from ''RealGenius''.
* In "Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus" the Genius Breeding Act is actually the driving force behind the epiphany on how to lure two massive sea monsters into going where the humans want them to.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* RobertAHeinlein plays with this a lot with his stories about Lazarus Long and friends.
* In the ''StarWarsExpandedUniverse'' novel ''DeathStar'', we learn that part of the reason why Grand Moff Tarkin loves Admiral Daala is that he's always wanted someone smart and ruthless and efficient enough to keep apace with him. [[YourMileageMayVary Whether or not]] [[InformedAbility this is actually shown in the books.]]
* In {{Larry Niven}}'s ''Known Space'' stories, the Earth is so overpopulated that in order to have children at all, one has to be extraordinarily talented (high intelligence, good teeth, superior eyesight, cancer resistance, etc.). A very few Einstein-level geniuses get Unlimited Breeding Licenses that basically allow them to have all the kids they want.
* Played with in ''ArtemisFowl'', but considering the main character was cool, collected, smart [[AwesomenessByAnalysis and strangely Badass]], and his [[BrattyHalfPint potential]] [[DistaffCounterpart love interest]] was... [[TheScrappy not]]...
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* Averted with Samantha Carter and Rodney [=McKay=] from ''{{Stargate SG-1}}'' and ''StargateAtlantis''. The two are Earth's smartest persons, TheSmartGuy of their respective show and [=McKay=] is attracted to her, but nothing beyond that. In fact, Carter is as annoyed by [=McKay=] as most people are, while [=McKay=] gets into a relationship with Dr. Keller later.
** Though Carter does visit one {{alternate universe}} where she learns that she had married (and divorced) [=McKay=].
* Willow and Oz from ''{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}''.
** Aversion on the usual formula with Wesley and Fred on ''{{Angel}}'' as it was less than smooth and took multiple seasons [[spoiler:and lasted exactly one episode]].
** Another ''Joss Whedon'' show, ''{{Dollhouse}}'' had Topher and Bennett, with their DatingCatwoman and SlapSlapKiss. [[spoiler:And then Bennett is hit with the HeelFaceDoorSlam and [[BoomHeadshot shot in the head]].]]
* Chuck and Jessie, from ''AceLightning''.
* Subverted in ''NedsDeclassifiedSchoolSurvivalGuide'': it would seem things are going that way for Cookie/Evelyn, but they end up with different people.
* Grissom and Sara in ''CSI'', although it takes six seasons of [=~Will They or Won't They~=] before they actually get together.
* Cooper Pillot and Patty Scoggins in ''TheNakedBrothersBand''. Though they still call each other by their last names, they stand as a bastion of stability amidst the show's romantic chaos.
* Minkus ''thought'' this would happen during his one-season stint on ''BoyMeetsWorld''. However, Topanga was destined for Cory, instead.
* Lampshaded and Subverted in the first post-movie episode of the ''KnightRider'' 2008 series.
-->'''Billy:''' Listen! Zoe! I have advanced degrees in Applied Physics, Quantum Physics Electrical ''and'' Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, as well as Discrete and Applied Mathematics.\\
'''Zoe:''' And I speak 9 languages! We should make a baby.\\
'''Billy:''' Really?\\
'''Zoe:''' No.
* In ''Series/DoctorWho'', Rattigan explains his master plan for a new world to the other {{Teen Genius}}es he'd collected, and mentions that he's written up a breeding program. They are appropriately appalled.
* Subverted on an early episode of {{Bones}}. Bones' old professor comes back and they slide into their previous relationship... which ends remarkably poorly.
** In general, Bones is a fairly good at averting this trope, considering the number of geniuses in the lab. Between Brennan, Jack, Zach, and [[YourMileageMayVary Cam]], not to mention all the interns, there have been surprisingly few hookups between geniuses.
** Played straight with [[spoiler: Daisy and Sweets]] considering one is smart enough to [[spoiler: be one of Bones' grad students, who are all supposed to be highly intelligent]] and the other [[spoiler: was already working as an FBI profiler/psychologist and has multiple doctorates, and won a fulbright and a Rhodes, all before he was 23]]. Still, with the number of geniuses on that show, it was fairly inevitable that this trope would have to happen at least once over the course of the show.
* Abby and [=McGee=] on ''{{NCIS}}'' exhibit some elements of this. The facts that they aren't quite an official couple, that in general Abby is fairly affectionate towards all her colleagues, and that Duckie is arguably at least as smart as either of them does water the trope down a bit.
* {{Firefly}} has the [[TheMedic genius doctor]] Simon and the [[WrenchWench genius mechanic]] Kaylee. Though [[WillTheyOrWontThey they won't]]... until TheMovie, that is (the EPILOGUE of the movie, no less).
* A very humerous (but oddly cute) version in the ''{{Smallville}}'' episode "Fortune", wherein two [[TheSmartGuy very]] [[EvilGenius different]] kinds of genius wind up alone together and very drunk. The result? [[spoiler: [[TheChessmaster Tess]] [[ManipulativeBastard Mercer]] and [[GadgeteerGenius Emil]] [[OmnidisciplinaryScientist Hamilton]] making a HomePornMovie]]. Both are suitably embarrassed afterwards; whether the relationship continued was undisclosed.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* The third ''SlyCooper'' game ended up pairing former VoiceWithAnInternetConnection Bentley with the similarly-talented GadgeteerGenius Penelope. ([[InterspeciesRomance Never mind that one's a turtle and the other's a mouse...]])
* "Metal Gear Solid' pairs Gadget salesman and Operator Otacon with geneticist and anti-villian Naomi Hunter. [[spoiler:ends due to "Tear-Jerker death" due to cancer.]])
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* Tedd and Grace of ''ElGoonishShive''.
* Helen and Dave of ''{{Narbonic}}'' (though Dave isn't as much of a genius as Helen... [[spoiler:he's even ''more'' brilliant]]).
* Wrench and Echo of ''{{Antihero for Hire}}''.
* Subverted in ''GirlGenius''. Gilgamesh Wulfenbach and Agatha Heterodyne looked like they were going this way, and then things got... complicated. It would have been so much simpler if Agatha hadn't been a Heterodyne. Not that Gil isn't smitten, and Agatha isn't interested, but circumstances have interfered.
** But then, they're the Alpha Couple of the story, and [[spoiler:there is evidence they will be together in the future.]]
** This is also very frequently [[LampShading lampshaded]] by everyone (including her ''[[GeniusLoci castle]]'') commenting on how well they would fit together, much to their annoyance.
** Agatha's Parents were both geniuses. Does that count?
** The main alternative to Agatha/Gil, Agatha/Tarvek, would be this trope too, since Tarvek is roughly as smart and [[GadgeteerGenius Sparky]] as Gil.
* Florence and Winston are easily the smartest characters in ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}},'' and they've shown strong attraction for each other since their first meeting, culminating so far in [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff2100/fc02039.htm several]] [[http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff2100/fc02040.htm kisses]].
* For a while in ''SluggyFreelance'', MadScientist Riff was dating occasional-mad-tinkerer Sasha. It wasn't a huge part of her character, but she ''was'' able to build her own Dimensional Flux Agitator.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* Jérémie and Aelita of ''CodeLyoko''.
* Cody and Starlee from ''[[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward]]''.
* ''{{Futurama}}'' presents an example of Professor and Mom ({{Squick}}). Also mentioned is a literal GeniusBreedingAct from a time when [[AliensMadeThemDoIt aliens landed on Earth and forced the smartest members to mate continuously.]]
** Farnsworth was disappointed that the latest alien invasion wasn't going to involve this.
* Xanatos of ''{{Gargoyles}}'' gives this as the reason why he wants to marry Fox.
* JimmyNeutron and Cindy Vortex
* KimPossible and her genius brothers are the result of a union between a [[ThisAintRocketSurgery rocket scientist and a brain surgeon.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]
* This was official policy for a while in Singapore. The results have yet to be fully seen.
** Results is the policy was canceled if i heard right (can someone confirm this?). The government was first giving incentives to Females who graduated from University to help with the aging population. Unfortunately is also promoted unhappiness amongst those who did not graduate from university and thus it had to be canceled to prevent an uprising.
* This is the point of eugenics -- to enhance mankind by supporting breeding of best specimens and inhibiting that of worse. Of course, it ended in massive WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong.
** Not that anybody seems to have learned from it. Never bring up eugenics theory in conversation if you value your trust in human virtue.
** Counterpoint, don't bring it up if you don't want to face InternetBackdraft, as GodwinsLaw has left any suggestion of the idea rather taboo in modern circles. (There was a massive outcry against a sperm bank that did IQ tests on its donors.)
*** It's not so much the aspects of combining genius IQ's as the prospect that it entails of eliminating/sterilizing the less intelligent that makes it such a disproptionately disliked topic.
* Often the case without government interference in real life. People tend to partner others of similar intelligence, in much the same way that they partner those of similar levels of attractiveness. While this is supported by most of the research done on the subject, it is still a [[YourMileageMayVary sweeping generalization, exceptions apply, etc.]]
[[/folder]]