OKCupid mired in eugenics row following ‘shocking’ dating survey
Dating platform OkCupid has found itself mired in a eugenics row after it published a dating survey asking members whether ‘people with low IQ should reproduce’.
Respondents were allowed to answer yes or no to the controversial question whilst also indicating what responses they would accept from a potential partner.
Learning disability charity Mencap led calls for the ‘shocking and offensive’ question to be pulled owing to the use of ‘hurtful’ and ‘discriminatory’ language.
Mencap spokesperson Amy Clarke said: “I am very upset that OkCupid could ask a question about whether people with a learning disability should be allowed to have children. This is not OK. It is shocking and offensive… they are making it seem like it is OK to say yes, which it is not”.
In a statement OKCupid responded: “Our question system is designed to help potential matches understand the interests and values of other users. Questions range from the mundane to provocative and they specifically allow you to determine your potential compatibility with someone else and to avoid people whose viewpoints you strongly disagree with.”
Mencap has set up a Change.org petition calling on this particular line of questioning to be scrapped.