The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, in Laurel Hollow, New York, is now one of the première non-profit, biological research institutes, specializing in cancer, quantitative biology, neuroscience, and genomics. It has advanced from a school that primarily trained high school and college teachers, to a key developer in molecular genetics and biology, as well as an institution that emphasizes educating the new generation of scientists and the public. According to the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory website, this development of the lab was due to a natural progression in the scientific field and having brilliant researchers to propel this future on staff. While this is true, progression and advancements are expected to come with any institution over
…show more content…
However, the page is incomplete as it then skips over a large chunk of its history: it explains the start of genetics research in 1904 and then immediately progresses to its work on quantitative biology and genetics, starting in the 1920s. In between this time period, there were substantial amounts of research and work going on in the laboratory; however, according to most modern day views, the research done does not shine the best light on the institution, and the goal of the website is to positively promote and explain Cold Spring Harbor …show more content…
Rather than outright recognizing that this movement did exist, even in such a prestigious institution as CSHL, the website is taking the stance that eugenics never happened, and completely ignoring the movement and research done even though the ERO’s life spans almost the entire history of eugenics in the United States. The reason for doing so is understandable: the CSHL does not want to be connected to a negative part of its past and only highlight the positive aspects of its existence, but minimizing the history of the eugenics movement does not help anyone. It is important to recognize different changes and viewpoints of the scientific community and recognize the movements that have helped us advance to where we are. The CSHL website does contain information and resources on its role in the eugenics movement, but they should provide either a description of the CSHL’s role in the movement on the History website or a direct link to another page that contains more information on it, so readers can still have readily available
However, the page is incomplete as it then skips over a large chunk of its history: it explains the start of genetics research in 1904 and then immediately progresses to its work on quantitative biology and genetics, starting in the 1920s. In between this time period, there were substantial amounts of research and work going on in the laboratory; however, according to most modern day views, the research done does not shine the best light on the institution, and the goal of the website is to positively promote and explain Cold Spring Harbor …show more content…
Rather than outright recognizing that this movement did exist, even in such a prestigious institution as CSHL, the website is taking the stance that eugenics never happened, and completely ignoring the movement and research done even though the ERO’s life spans almost the entire history of eugenics in the United States. The reason for doing so is understandable: the CSHL does not want to be connected to a negative part of its past and only highlight the positive aspects of its existence, but minimizing the history of the eugenics movement does not help anyone. It is important to recognize different changes and viewpoints of the scientific community and recognize the movements that have helped us advance to where we are. The CSHL website does contain information and resources on its role in the eugenics movement, but they should provide either a description of the CSHL’s role in the movement on the History website or a direct link to another page that contains more information on it, so readers can still have readily available