History, Eugenics and Genetics Personal Genetics Education Project (pgEd) Harvard Medical School - Wu Laboratory

Opener How could the idea that intelligence is 100% genetic (Nature) be a dangerous idea? (as well as other human traits such a athleticism, or personality)

Big idea: Improving society and humanity via selective breeding and sterilization. First half of the 20 th century. State and Federal laws addressing issues ranging from immigration to mandatory sterilization. Burlington Free Press, January 24, 1925, p. 1. American Eugenics Movement

Inspired by Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection Also included the idea of “Social Darwinism” – an idea not supported by Darwin American Eugenics Movement Published in 1859

Eugenicists believed that immigrants from Southern Europe were genetically inferior; that is, they were poor because they were genetically predisposed to be lazy Late 1800’s – Early 1900’s

Beginning of IQ tests: Genetically inferior people as a burden to society

Georgia State Fair 1924 “Fitter Family” contests: 1920s – 1940s Families judged on size of family, attractiveness, health and generosity

Laws Against Interracial Marriage Loving v. Virginia (1967)

Traced the “Pedigree” of individuals Factors such as immoral behavior, degeneracy, criminality, disease, shiftlessness, intelligence, and “feeblemindedness”

Carrie Buck Committed and Sterilized Buck v. Bell (1927) - Decision

“...society can prevent those who are manifestly unfit from continuing their kind... Three generations of imbeciles are enough.” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Raymond Pearl Eugenics preaching is “contrary to the best established facts of genetical science.” Carnegie Institution Visiting Committee, 1935: Most of the ERO’s work was without scientific merit and it should cease sponsorship of programs in immigration restriction, sterilization, and race betterment.

“We do not stand alone” 1907 – U.S. Passes Sterilization Law (Germany followed 26 years later)

Nuremberg Code 4 of the 10 directives for Human Subjects Research 1. The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential… 2. The experiment should be such as to yield fruitful results for the good of society, … 4. The experiment should be so conducted as to avoid all unnecessary physical and mental suffering and injury. 9. During the course of the experiment the human subject should be at liberty to bring the experiment to an end…

Pamphlet from the Human Betterment League of North Carolina – 1950

Los Angeles Times Protests against forced sterilization Buck v. Bell never overturned! States began to outlaw sterilization in the mid to late 1970’s

Elaine Riddick – sterilized without her knowledge at the age of 14

North Carolina Eugenic sterilization law enacted February 18, Sterilization suitable for “mentally defective persons.” “The 7,600 victims of the program, which was dissolved in 1977, were largely women and disproportionately members of minorities.” (New York Times). Any person (e.g., a neighbor) could request someone be sterilized, which would then be considered by a state sterilization board. After 10 years of debate, the NC legislature passed a budget to provide $10 million to victims. (As of 2013, roughly 200 victims have come forward, so each would receive about $50,000.) This is the first time reparations have been granted to victims of eugenic sterilization.

Presidential Commission on Bioethical Issues

The Beery twins, Noah and Alexis Sequencing used to identify a mutation that lead to deficiencies in neurotransmitters

Fanconi anemia (disorder of DNA repair) Cure: PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis), umbilical cord blood stem cells Molly and Adam Nash

Schwartz 2011 Jewish News Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)

Oxford Nanopore MinION Genome sequencing technology

Genetic Sequencing What are some ethical considerations concerning genetic sequencing and manipulation?

Fatal TransplantsAdult illness GenderStrength & Intelligence Men Women Public attitudes regarding the use of PGD (Approval)