Eugenic Practice Essay
The term ‘eugenics’ was conceived by Sir Francis Galton (Charles
Darwin’s cousin and the inventor of composite photography) in the 19th century. Eugenic practice includes the systematic elimination of so-called
‘undesirable’ biological traits and the use of selective breeding to ‘improve’ the characteristics of an organism or species.1 One branch of eugenics held that the rich and powerful were genetically superior to the poor, and that whites were in general superior to other races. Such a philosophy has provided convenient justification for a system of structuring inequities.
1904 Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie establishes a center for the study of
“hybridized peoples,” whose researchers seek to understand the “idleness, the
inconstancy…and…inadequate
intelligence” of “racial mixtures.”2
1906 The American Breeders Association (ABA) forms a Committee on Eu - genics. Their purpose is to investigate and report on heredity, emphasizing the value of “superior blood” and the menace of “inferior blood.”
1907–WWI Sixteen States adopt sterilization laws for “socially inadequate biological varieties”—i.e., criminals and the mentally ill.3
1910s The wealthy Harriman family establishes the first Eugenics Record
Office in Cold Springs Harbor, NY, in 1910, and the Kellogg family, the Race
Betterment Foundation in 1913. Subsequent societies spring up throughout the
U.S. during the teens.
1914 A report made to the ABA states that “Society must look upon germ
Darwin’s cousin and the inventor of composite photography) in the 19th century. Eugenic practice includes the systematic elimination of so-called
‘undesirable’ biological traits and the use of selective breeding to ‘improve’ the characteristics of an organism or species.1 One branch of eugenics held that the rich and powerful were genetically superior to the poor, and that whites were in general superior to other races. Such a philosophy has provided convenient justification for a system of structuring inequities.
1904 Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie establishes a center for the study of
“hybridized peoples,” whose researchers seek to understand the “idleness, the
inconstancy…and…inadequate
intelligence” of “racial mixtures.”2
1906 The American Breeders Association (ABA) forms a Committee on Eu - genics. Their purpose is to investigate and report on heredity, emphasizing the value of “superior blood” and the menace of “inferior blood.”
1907–WWI Sixteen States adopt sterilization laws for “socially inadequate biological varieties”—i.e., criminals and the mentally ill.3
1910s The wealthy Harriman family establishes the first Eugenics Record
Office in Cold Springs Harbor, NY, in 1910, and the Kellogg family, the Race
Betterment Foundation in 1913. Subsequent societies spring up throughout the
U.S. during the teens.
1914 A report made to the ABA states that “Society must look upon germ