Short Wave

Control: Eugenics And The Corruption Of Science

Nov 4, 2022

Adam Rutherford, a geneticist and author of "Control: The Dark History and Troubling Present of Eugenics," dives into the chilling history of eugenics and its roots in 19th-century Britain, spurred by Darwin's theories. He explores how societal fears shaped this pseudo-science, linking it to political ideologies. The discussion highlights the dark legacy of American eugenics, including forced sterilizations and racial bias, and emphasizes the importance of understanding this flawed legacy to avoid repeating history's mistakes.

14:04

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Adam Rutherford

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Roots and Rise of Eugenics in 19th Century Britain

2min

The Intersection of Eugenics and Socio-Political Climate

2min

The Dark Legacy of American Eugenics

2min

Unraveling Eugenics: A Flawed Legacy

6min

In 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, a book about the evolution of non-human animals by natural selection. In its wake, a political idea arose — eugenics. Reading Darwin's book, Sir Francis Galton proposed that humans should be bred to give more "suitable" characteristics a "better chance of prevailing." Today, producer Rebecca Ramirez talks to Adam Rutherford about his new book, Control: The Dark History and Troubling Present of Eugenics, which traces the inextricable link between political ideology and science, and the enduring shadow of eugenics.

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