Eugenics

In 1938, Southern California witnessed a harrowing incident involving Sarah Rosas Garcia, a newly widowed mother struggling to support her nine children. Her oldest daughter, Andrea Garcia, was accused of truancy and promiscuity, resulting in her confinement to a state hospital by the authorities responsible for juvenile delinquents. After an IQ test yielded a low score, doctors deemed Andrea mentally deficient and informed Sarah that her 19-year-old daughter would be sterilized to prevent passing on what the state considered a hereditary condition. This shocking tale, reminiscent of an authoritarian regime, unfolded during a relentless campaign of eugenics targeting thousands of poor women of color in California in 1938.

Efforts to control human populations through selective reproduction have existed since ancient Greece, with the aim of retaining desired traits and eliminating undesirable ones. However, it was in the 19th century, with the advent of the understanding of evolution and genetics, that eugenics emerged as a scientific movement. Coined by British scientist Sir Francis Galton in 1883, eugenics aimed to improve society by ensuring the transmission of only desirable traits. Nevertheless, the definition of desirable traits was largely shaped by the biases of the era. Immigrants, people of color, and individuals with disabilities were deemed "unfit" for reproduction, while the ideal genetic standard upheld by eugenicists reflected the preferences of white Europeans of Nordic or Anglo-Saxon descent.

The influence of eugenics grew in the early 20th century, resulting in the implementation of restrictive immigration policies and the prohibition of interracial unions in many countries. These measures, carried out under the guise of "racial hygiene," culminated in the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany, where millions of Jews and other targeted groups were systematically killed. While the brutality of Nazi eugenic policies stands out, the underlying standards aligned with similar ideologies prevalent worldwide.

Throughout the mid-20th century, numerous countries enacted eugenic policies. Sweden, Canada, and Japan, among others, forcibly sterilized thousands of individuals. The United States, in particular, witnessed a high incidence of sterilizations. From 1907 to 1979, over 60,000 people were sterilized under US policies, with 32 states passing laws mandating sterilization for individuals deemed "mentally defective." Superficial mental health diagnoses and culturally biased IQ tests were often used to label immigrants and minority populations as mentally deficient.

The discriminatory standards were particularly severe in California. From 1920 to 1945, Latina women were 59% more likely to be sterilized than other women. California alone accounted for over one-third of all sterilization procedures conducted in the country.

Andrea Garcia's case exemplifies the plight of numerous individuals caught in this system. Sarah Garcia, aided by renowned civil rights lawyer David Marcus, argued that California's sterilization law violated Andrea's constitutional rights, particularly her right to equal protection under the law. While one of the three judges presiding over the case voted in favor of sparing Andrea, the other two did not. Records suggest that Andrea may have escaped the impending surgery, but countless victims fell victim to these policies.

Although eugenics acquired a negative reputation following the atrocities of World War II, many of its practices, including sterilization, continued for decades. By the late 1960s, advancements in human genetics research and the emergence of bioethics began to challenge the influence of eugenics. Yet, Sweden and the United States persisted with involuntary sterilizations well into the 1970s. It was not until class action lawsuits and protest movements gained momentum that lawmakers were galvanized to repeal California's sterilization laws in 1979.

Regrettably, the legal and illegal sterilization of marginalized communities persists today, serving as a stark reminder of the enduring legacy of eugenics across the globe.

Henrik Leandro