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Eugenic sterilization in the USA: The dark ages of vasectomy
Abstract: 1043
Date & Time: May 21, 2012 01:00 PM
Session Title: History Forum
Sources of Funding: None
Introduction and Objectives
Vasectomy was introduced as an alternative to castration to reduce obstructive symptoms of prostatic hypertrophy in 1880s. This simple sterilization procedure soon has been sought to promote Malthusian ideas of population control. We reviewed the contribution of vasectomy to the eugenic sterilization in USA
Methods
Review of historical papers on vasectomy
Results
Eugenic sterilization flourished in the USA out of concern over the cost of caring for unfit persons. In 1897, Van Meter suggested vasectomy for sterilization of criminals: “furthermore we can easily have enacted a law that will provide for the sterilization and thus will crime be wiped out”. At the same time A.J Ochsner, future president of American College of Surgeons, concluded that vasectomy can substitute castration to sterilize habitual criminals, “chronic inebriates, imbeciles, perverts and paupers” in order to protect the community without harming the criminals. On October 12, 1899, the first eugenic sterilization was performed by Dr. Harry Sharp in the Indiana State Reformatory on inmate named Clawson. Sharp introduced less invasive English method of scrotal vasectomy. His data were presented at the Mississippi Valley Medical Association meeting in 1901. 42 vasectomies were performed by 1902 and 176 by 1907.The nation’s first sterilization law to initiate the involuntary sterilization of habitual criminal, rapist, idiot, imbecile was signed by the Governor of Indiana in 1907. By 1909, Sharp performed 280 vasectomies and became the national authority on eugenic sterilization. The sterilization programs have been supported by the American Medical Association. It became widespread through the advocacy a few zealous supporters as John Rockefeller, John Kellogg and Theodore Roosevelt. Many prominent physicians praised vasectomy as the solution to the problem of limiting birth of defective persons. In 1910, Sharp demonstrated vasectomy at the international conference under the auspices of the American Prison association. By 1917, 15 states passed laws authorizing vasectomy for a variety conditions and crimes. By 1937, it was implemented in 32 states. The constitutionality of the programs was confirmed through the Supreme Court decision Buck v. Bell in 1927 when Justice Holmes remarked “three generations of imbeciles are enough.”
Conclusions
The practice of involuntary sterilization gradually ceased and virtually stopped only in 1960s. By this time 60 000 persons were sterilized. However, Iowa, North Carolina and Oregon still operated sterilization programs well into 1970s .
Date & Time: May 21, 2012 01:00 PM
Session Title: History Forum
Sources of Funding: None
Introduction and Objectives
Vasectomy was introduced as an alternative to castration to reduce obstructive symptoms of prostatic hypertrophy in 1880s. This simple sterilization procedure soon has been sought to promote Malthusian ideas of population control. We reviewed the contribution of vasectomy to the eugenic sterilization in USA
Methods
Review of historical papers on vasectomy
Results
Eugenic sterilization flourished in the USA out of concern over the cost of caring for unfit persons. In 1897, Van Meter suggested vasectomy for sterilization of criminals: “furthermore we can easily have enacted a law that will provide for the sterilization and thus will crime be wiped out”. At the same time A.J Ochsner, future president of American College of Surgeons, concluded that vasectomy can substitute castration to sterilize habitual criminals, “chronic inebriates, imbeciles, perverts and paupers” in order to protect the community without harming the criminals. On October 12, 1899, the first eugenic sterilization was performed by Dr. Harry Sharp in the Indiana State Reformatory on inmate named Clawson. Sharp introduced less invasive English method of scrotal vasectomy. His data were presented at the Mississippi Valley Medical Association meeting in 1901. 42 vasectomies were performed by 1902 and 176 by 1907.The nation’s first sterilization law to initiate the involuntary sterilization of habitual criminal, rapist, idiot, imbecile was signed by the Governor of Indiana in 1907. By 1909, Sharp performed 280 vasectomies and became the national authority on eugenic sterilization. The sterilization programs have been supported by the American Medical Association. It became widespread through the advocacy a few zealous supporters as John Rockefeller, John Kellogg and Theodore Roosevelt. Many prominent physicians praised vasectomy as the solution to the problem of limiting birth of defective persons. In 1910, Sharp demonstrated vasectomy at the international conference under the auspices of the American Prison association. By 1917, 15 states passed laws authorizing vasectomy for a variety conditions and crimes. By 1937, it was implemented in 32 states. The constitutionality of the programs was confirmed through the Supreme Court decision Buck v. Bell in 1927 when Justice Holmes remarked “three generations of imbeciles are enough.”
Conclusions
The practice of involuntary sterilization gradually ceased and virtually stopped only in 1960s. By this time 60 000 persons were sterilized. However, Iowa, North Carolina and Oregon still operated sterilization programs well into 1970s .
Authors
Melquist, Johathan (Stony Brook, NY); McCaffrey, Heather; Schulsinger, David; Sheynkin, Yefim