PHILADELPHIA, Feb 16 (LifeSiteNews) – A Yale University study in the current Annals of Internal Medicine has found that eugenics has been practiced in the US longer than was previously believed. The study reports that state-authorized sterilizations were carried out from the first state eugenics law in Indiana in 1907 till as late as 1963. Forced sterilization was once legal in 18 U.S. states. By 1963 some 62,000 Americans underwent sterilization. The study also compares the US eugenics program to the one practiced in Nazi Germany.
The study suggests that eugenics in the US it came to an end through public rejection. However, although physical “forced sterilization” for mentally “defective” individuals is now not practiced in the US, pro-life observers argue that the large-scale promotion of contraception and abortion coupled with financial restraints almost requiring a two-parent income, have produced an atmosphere of forced sterilization under the illusion of choice.
The authors mention that in order “to avoid conflict, the Nazis decreed that Catholic surgeons would not be required to perform sterilizations.” Today, however, those with religious objections to assisting in contraception and abortion decisions have no conscience legislation to protect their job security when they refuse to participate.
Of note, one of the greatest proponents of eugenics in America was none other than Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger.
See the article in the journal.
For more on Sanger’s promotion of eugenics click here.