The term “eugenics” which means “good birth” was coined by English scientist Sir Francis Galton, and referred to the science of genetic and heredity with the main goal of creating superior human race, one without the problems caused by inferior people (Grinspoon, 2013). Eugenicist focus on encouraging healthy and fit people to procreate and prevent those that are deem unfit for society. The forefront of the Eugenic movement focused on inherited mental degeneration that is passed down from generation in the 1920. Researchers during that time believe that genetic makeup of criminality or “bad gene” are passed down and was the root of criminal tendencies in society. The federal Eugenics Record Office funded studies of bad gene and develop policies that called for sterilization of mentally handicapped women to prevent
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It would be strange if it could not call upon those who already sap the strength of the State for these lesser sacrifices, often not felt to be such by those concerned, in order to prevent our being swamped with incompetence. It is better for all the world, if instead of waiting to execute degenerate offspring for crime, or to let them starve for their imbecility, society can prevent those who are manifestly unfit from continuing their kind. Three generations of imbeciles are enough.” Holmes statement clearly endorses eugenic principle and set the legal precedent that states may sterilize inmates in public institution that are deem to carry the heredity traits of imbecility, epilepsy, and feeblemindedness. The decision from Buck v. Bell also strengthened the Eugenic movement in America and created an opportunity for the states to sterilize inmate that all under the categories mention above (Nathalie & Raup, 2012). After the landmarked case, thirty-one other states implemented their sterilization laws and the end result was more than sixty thousand people were sterilized in the name of eugenics (Grinspoon,
It would be strange if it could not call upon those who already sap the strength of the State for these lesser sacrifices, often not felt to be such by those concerned, in order to prevent our being swamped with incompetence. It is better for all the world, if instead of waiting to execute degenerate offspring for crime, or to let them starve for their imbecility, society can prevent those who are manifestly unfit from continuing their kind. Three generations of imbeciles are enough.” Holmes statement clearly endorses eugenic principle and set the legal precedent that states may sterilize inmates in public institution that are deem to carry the heredity traits of imbecility, epilepsy, and feeblemindedness. The decision from Buck v. Bell also strengthened the Eugenic movement in America and created an opportunity for the states to sterilize inmate that all under the categories mention above (Nathalie & Raup, 2012). After the landmarked case, thirty-one other states implemented their sterilization laws and the end result was more than sixty thousand people were sterilized in the name of eugenics (Grinspoon,