In this interactive session, IU professor Richard Gunderman takes us on a journey through the history of eugenics in Indiana and society’s misguided efforts to change human nature through science.

Eugenics may be defined as the effort to improve human life by controlling patterns of human reproduction—the idea that undesirable traits could be “bred out” of the human species and desirable traits “bred in.” So long as humans suppose that human biology equals human destiny, the specter of eugenics will continue to lurk in the shadows of human history.

Located at the intersection of medicine, history, bioethics, and science, this event invites guests to learn more about the history of eugenics and then engage in small group conversations about the ethics of eugenics.

A partnership between the Indiana Medical History Museum and Dr. Richard Gunderman, Chancellor’s Professor of Radiology, Pediatrics, Medical Education, Philosophy, Liberal Arts, Philanthropy, and Medical Humanities and Health Studies at Indiana University.

Questions? Contact 317-635-7329 or shalter@imhm.org.

This event will be conducted via Zoom. Register by Nov. 12.

This event is part of the Spirit & Place Festival. Click here to discover more festival events!
Spirit & Place is a self-funded community initiative housed in the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI.