This story is very interesting to me because of my fiancee. Everyone can blame or thank her for it appearing on the blog. I hope that she will post a response to this blog to clarify everything i'm going to try to say...because i know i will forget details and names and other stuff like that. This story can be found at: http://www.suntimes.com/output/health/cst-nws-nazimed25.html
What I find interesting is that such people that are well known in America and in American history were supportive of the Nazi regiem especially its scientific research dealing with the Human Genome Project and Eugenics.
What is startling is that the article talks about America having a spotty record but fails to mention any of this. I did find another article online that will help clarify some of these details and can be found at: http://www.sonic.net/~doretk/Issues/00-09%20FALL/thehuman.html
Here are a few quotes from this article that I find pertinent to this topic:
Throughout its history, the eugenics movement has advanced an agenda that if fully recognized and understood for what it is would shock most people living in our current society of relative tolerance and diversity. Prominent advocates of eugenics in the US, including the Rockefellers, Henry Ford, and Margaret Sanger, wanted the government to decide who could reproduce and how many offspring they could have; which ethnic groups should be excluded from immigrating to the US based on their alleged inferiority; and which medical and psychological conditions should qualify one for sterilization or euthanasia.
Sure doesn't sound like we were very conservative back then does it? In fact, they seemed to be very supportive of what Hitler was trying to accomplish. Of course, we blame Hitler for everything bad that happened during this time (he was wrong, did commit many attrocities, and deserves condemnation of that I agree and I'm not trying to defend him for his wrong doing) but Americans have some blame for all of this too.
Adolf Hitler publicly praised the US policy and copied many of its features for the Nazi system, which eventually resulted in the Holocaust. Due to the emerging awareness of the Holocaust after WWII and of the extent to which Hitler and Axis powers like Japan had planned to depopulate whole nations and even entire continents, the public promotion of eugenics experienced a temporary setback.
Wow, such startling words like these. I guess we truly do have to wory about ethics involved in science and medicene today. It makes me wonder...who's side would Hitler take on abortion and euthanasia? I guess Hitler would be a Pro-choice supporter today if he were alive and an American. Makes you wonder where your political party and politicians stand.
As a biology student who just read an entire book last semester on America's involvement with eugenics prior to even WWI, I do believe I can speak with authority on this issue. If you were surprised that Rockefeller, Ford, and Margaret Sanger (who we can thank for establishing Planned Parenthood, yeah right) were heavily involved in eugenics, you will be equally surprised to learn that the Carnegie Institue played just as large a role. Not only did the Rockefeller Foundation and Carnegie Institute fund much field research in American eugenics (beginning shortly after the turn of the century), but they both heavily supported the work of German researchers starting before WWI and continuing through the start of WWII and even during America's involvement in the war. (Hard to believe, but true!)
Not that I am bashing either establishment, but what many people fail to realize is the extent to which America and its very own researchers (the work eugenicists performed was unscientific, therefore I will never refer to them as scientists) contributed to what unfolded under Hitler's Third Reich. This is not to say that the Rockefeller or Carnegie establishments funded no legitimate scientific research in Germany. Instead, what may have began as genuine research for the good of others was transformed into eugenics as a result of the coercive power of Hitler's regime and many researchers here in America.
As it was so finely exemplified, money and prestige can be dangerous when coupled with the wrong application of potentially useful knowledge. The Human Genome Project has opened an enormous toolbox to scientists conducting research in various disciplines. However, the proper application of this knowledge and information must be carefully monitored in order to ensure that it is not used to harm anyone. As difficult as it is for the government to become informed of such issues and pass legislation to prevent, rather than promote injustice, (as was the case in the early 20th century) it is nonetheless necessary. For Christians this means being informed on issues facing the constantly changing field of genetics and other areas of science. This will better enable us to identify those officials who hold firmly to the truths contained in the Bible about such issues.
Posted by: Alicia (aka: the fiancee) | January 27, 2005 at 12:08 AM
I find that last statment on Hitler being pro-choice, offensive. To allude to the idea that someone that simply belives in choices, whether it be abortion or not, probably has genocidal beliefs is just close minded. I suggest getting to know some of the people you make oppinions on before jumping to conclusions.
Posted by: Heather | March 20, 2005 at 10:55 AM
I find that last statment on Hitler being pro-choice, offensive. To allude to the idea that someone that simply belives in choices, whether it be abortion or not, probably has genocidal beliefs is just close minded. I suggest getting to know some of the people you make oppinions on before jumping to conclusions.
Posted by: Heather | March 20, 2005 at 10:57 AM
I am sorry that you find that comment so offensive...but it needs to be offensive. Abortion is not just a "choice" but is genocide in every sense of the word. If you consider that closed minded... thats your opinoin... but abortion is murder in the eyes of God.
Posted by: Joel | March 22, 2005 at 09:57 PM