The Biological Future of Man: Continuities and Breaks in the History of Human Genetics, Before and After 1945.
Human Genetics is a science with two sides: on one side concepts of human genetics have often in-fluenced social and political events, on the other side the development of human genetics has been influenced by various political forces.
At the end of the 19th century, heredity was dominated by Mendel’s gene concept and Galton’s biometrical approach (according to A. Motulsky). These were followed by early achievements in hu-man genetics like the identification of chromosomes as the carriers of genetic information (1888), the discovery of the ABO blood group system (Landsteiner 1900) and the inheritance of blood types (von Dungern and Hirschfeld 1911), and the fundamental theorem of population genetics (Hardy-Weinberg-Law 1908).
At the beginning of the 20th century, the eugenics movements in many countries (e.g. Germany, Great Britain and the USA) became stronger. Many scientists believed that genes strongly influenced biology. They were convinced that the human species should either encourage the breeding of those with desirable traits (positive eugenics) or discourage the breeding of the sick and ‘mentally defective’ (negative eugenics). These eugenic concepts led to the sterilization of ‘unfit’ persons in many countries. During the Third Reich, these efforts at ‘Rassenhygiene’ became part of Nazi philosophy. In Germany, the Second World War formed a break in the history of heredity and human genetics. This was not the case in Anglo-American countries.
Important landmarks in Human Genetics after 1945 include the discovery of DNA (1953 Watson and Crick) and biochemical methods for detecting molecular diseases (1949 Pauling, sickle cell anemia). This period saw great progress in DNA technology, genetic epidemiology, cytogenetics, somatic cell genetics, and prenatal diagnosis.
The Second World War and its consequences greatly influenced the development of human genetics. However, continuities and discontinuities, breaks and changes varied with national settings. This workshop aims to evaluate the state of research and discuss the history of human genetics from a comparative perspective.
The workshop will be organized around the following three themes:
• Eugenic ideas and human genetics before 1945: Concepts of heredity and research on genetic diseases
• Changing approaches after 1945: From molecular biology to molecular genetics.
• The shadow of eugenics on today’s human genetics: Scientific, social, ethical, legal and political aspects
Institute for Ethics, History and Theory of Medicine
WW University Muenster
Phone ++49-251-8355291 (Secretary)
Send comments and questions to H-Net
Webstaff. H-Net reproduces announcements that have been submitted to us as a
free service to the academic community. If you are interested in an announcement
listed here, please contact the organizers or patrons directly. Though we strive
to provide accurate information, H-Net cannot accept responsibility for the text of
announcements appearing in this service. (Administration)