DNALC Blogs » Pedigree

Eliminating Undesirable Traits

Susan Lauter — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:52:59 +0000

Eugenics aimed to eliminate undesirable traits. But how do you define “undesirable”? There is anecdotal evidence that the incidence of some disorders has decreased due to genetic testing (see “Testing Curbs Some Genetic Diseases,” by Marilyn Marchione). In and of itself, this is a good thing, but is this eugenics? It would be hard to argue that most genetic diseases are undesirable; but some of the steps taken to eliminate disease — abortion, embryo screening — are controversial.

In contrast, there was a an effort to prevent hereditary blindness within the eugenics movement. Its proponents collected pedigrees, drafted legislation to prevent marriage of blind individuals, and surveyed ophthalmologists to assess causes of blindness and the cost to society to provide for the blind in specialized homes and schools. Their intent was to eliminate blindness in future generations. However, this was eugenics because affected individuals would not have been allowed to decide for themselves if the trait was undesirable, or what steps to take eliminate it.

Pedigree of a family with blindness

Explore the Eugenics Archive, especially the “Hereditary Disorders” topic, for many examples of how eugenicists viewed inherited diseases.

Unfortunate Words

Susan Lauter — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:43:04 +0000

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is under fire for language used in comments he made about President Obama’s potential electability. Although described as “unfortunate” by Obama, Reid’s use of “Negro” and “light-skinned” offended many.

The Eugenics Archive includes several examples of how African Americans endured dehumanizing scrutiny, categorization, and labeling at the hands of eugenicists and other Americans. Eugenicists believed that race mixing (miscegenation) produced “mongrels” and would lead to the decline of the “higher” white race; some strived to identify and register the race of all individuals to prevent it. “The New Virginia Law to Preserve Racial Integrity” was enacted in 1924 and provided racial definitions — terms like “mulatto”, “quadroon”, “octoroon”, and “sambo” — to identify mixed races and prevent intermarriage. Several other states passed similar laws and many had penalties for miscegenation — fines and/or prison terms of up to 10 years.

Race-mixing pedigree

Chromosome of Man

Eugenicists emphasized the supposed genetic differences among races and ignored the social and economic factors that might account for differences in behavior and customs. They attempted to apply science to the “color problem,” creating pedigrees and visualizing chromosomes to highlight race differences. Eugenicists lost credibility by focusing on race. Humans have very similar DNA and only a handful of genes determine the skin, hair, and eye characteristics that distinguish “races.”

Explore the topics “Race Mixing and Marriage Laws” and “Race and Ethnicity” in the Archive for more on eugenics and race.

Colbert on Eugenics

Susan Lauter — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:26:43 +0000

Recently on The Colbert Report, in typically tongue in cheek fashion, “You-genics” was highlighted in “The Word” segment (October 28, 2009). Colbert’s discussion was tied in with our nation’s current health care debate – who is and isn’t coverable, what constitutes a pre-existing condition, and how to breed an insurable individual. Taken literally, Colbert’s words didn’t sound far off from those of proponents of the eugenics movement itself. Taken as intended, we see that a sense of humor can offer a unique perspective on anything.

Not surprisingly, eugenicists considered sense of humor as a trait to be studied, and the archive features a complete family case study focused on humor, as well as high blood pressure, rheumatism, and interest in electricity. Written by Margaret Kessler, a student, it’s sure to bring a smile when you read “the family shows inheritance of the typical Irish humor,” or “she is a jolly good sport” (yes, really!).

Kessler's Pedigree Chart of Sense of Humor

It seems this family didn’t fully express this trait. Not likely that they are Colbert’s long lost ancestors….