Epstein’s Eugenics Obsession: DOJ Files Reveal Plans To ‘Improve’ Humanity With His DNA

Newly released documents from the US Department of Justice provide fresh insight into Jeffrey Epstein’s disturbing preoccupations beyond his well‑documented sexual crimes. The files portray a man who combined racist and sexist beliefs with an active interest in genetics, transhumanist ideas and reproductive technology — and who sought scientists, donors and projects that aligned with those ideas.

In 2016 emails, linguist and activist Noam Chomsky engaged in discussions with Epstein about supposed racial inferiority - ullstein bild

Racist and Pseudoscientific Correspondence

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Among the most troubling material are emails in which Epstein expresses the belief that Black people are genetically predisposed to lower cognitive ability. In a 2016 message to Noam Chomsky, Epstein wrote that “the test score gap amongst African Americans is well documented,” arguing that uncomfortable facts must be faced to "make things better." Other exchanges with researchers, including correspondence with German cognitive scientist Joscha Bach, discuss hypothetical ways to alter cognitive development — claims rooted in speculative and widely disputed interpretations of neuroscience and evolution.

Joscha Bach had suggested that the mass deaths of elderly people might be a good thing for the human race, but has since distanced himself from these views - Joichi Ito

Scientific Funding, Conferences and Contacts

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Epstein used his wealth to build access to elite scientific circles. He donated millions to academic programs — including $6.5 million to Harvard’s Program for Evolutionary Dynamics — and provided funds to researchers at institutions such as MIT. He also organized conferences and cultivated relationships with prominent figures in science and publishing, using those connections to seek influence and legitimacy.

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Designer Babies, Cloning And Transhumanist Interests

‘Zorro’ ranch in New Mexico, where Epstein hoped to impregnate women with his sperm - DRONE BASE/Reuters

The files include conversations about investing in gene‑editing and reproductive ventures. An email chain from 2018 shows Epstein discussing potential investment in a "designer‑baby" project, with interlocutors noting the need for anonymity for families and children. Other accounts and prior reporting claim Epstein spoke about using his Zorro Ranch in New Mexico to father children and discussed cloning and cryonics — plans that, while raised repeatedly, have little public evidence of having progressed beyond discussion.

Alarm Bells And Retractions

Some scientists named in the documents have publicly distanced themselves from the more extreme claims. Joscha Bach, for example, later said race is not causal for cognitive differences and disavowed previous statements. Several academics severed ties with Epstein after his criminal behavior became widely known.

Context And Limits Of The Records

While the DOJ tranche paints a consistent picture of Epstein’s troubling interests, many projects mentioned appear to have remained speculative. Several initiatives described in the files were proposals, exploratory conversations or early fundraising plans rather than evidence of realized programs. Nonetheless, the records underscore how money and access can amplify pseudoscientific ideas and create ethical hazards when combined with power and predatory behavior.

Conclusion

The documents expand the portrait of Epstein as more than a criminal who exploited vulnerable people: they depict an individual who pursued a eugenics‑tinged vision of "improving" humanity while networking with scientists and entrepreneurs. Whether or not his most extreme schemes advanced beyond conversation, the files are a cautionary record of how scientific language can be misused to rationalize prejudice and how private funding can distort research priorities.