Medical genetics and scientific expertise in Switzerland in the 1940s

✍ Scribed by Geiser, Marc

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 99 KB
• Volume: 115
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0148-7299
• DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.10543

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

In Switzerland, the first course in human genetics for physicians was organized during World War II. The topic had less to do with human genetics than with eugenics, however. After this course, bitter opposition was forthcoming from physicians. The second course was held in quite a different context. The war was almost over and the Swiss authorities had to prove that they were on the side of the Allies. As eugenics was deemed to be a Nazi science, opposition to it became stronger. Given this context, the proponents of human genetics changed their discourse. This article explores how this debate on human genetics influenced not only the discourse on this science, but also human genetics practices in postwar Switzerland. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.