Breeding Quote by Bill Bryson
““Altogether at least sixty thousand people were sterilized because of Laughlin’s efforts. At the peak of the movement in the 1930s, some thirty states had sterilization laws, though only Virginia and California made wide use of them. It is perhaps worth noting that sterilization laws remain on the books in twenty states today.””
About This Quote
Source Book: A Short History of Nearly Everything, 2003
Historical eugenics policies led to forced sterilizations, many still legally on the books today.
In simple terms: Past sterilization laws caused harm and persist.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge outdated laws.
Themes
eugenics
human rights
legal history
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- medical ethics discussions
- legal reform
- education curricula
- advocacy campaigns
Key Concepts
public policy
bioethics
state power
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies address lingering eugenic policies?
- What role should citizens play in law reform?
A Different Perspective
Legal remnants may be hard to repeal due to political inertia.
![“There is only one reply to a request for a higher birthrate among the intelligent, and that is to ask the government to first take the burden of the insane and feeble-minded from your back. [Mandatory] sterilization for these is the answer.” quote by Margaret Sanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c05/margaret-sanger-3929_answers_there-is-only-one-reply-to-a-request-for_2644448.jpg)
![“The only method compatible with our notions of civilization and the race is to prevent the breeding of the unfit by sterilization and the deliberate guidance of the mating instinct. [...] The trend of opinion among eugenists is that we must make marriage more difficult. Certainly no one who is not…” quote by Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6b5/nikola-tesla-1383_breeding_the-only-method-compatible-with-our-noti_2169780.jpg)
![“Give dysgenic groups [people with 'bad genes'] in our population their choice of segregation or [compulsory] sterilization.” quote by Margaret Sanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d0d/margaret-sanger-3929_choices_give-dysgenic-groups-people-with-bad-gen_1563058.jpg)
