Sterilization in Alberta, 1928 to 1972: Gender Matters (Report‪)‬

IN 1883 FRANCIS GALTON COINED THE term "eugenics" to refer to "good breeding" (McLaren 1990; Paul 1995). Genetic theory at the rime suggested that "like begets like"; social reformers aimed to control the progression of the human race by instituting policies and legislation that would ensure "fit" members of society would procreate (positive eugenics) while those "unfit" for reproduction would not (negative eugenics). In Alberta and other jurisdictions parallels were made with the development of crops and breeding of cattle: if science could determine which crops and domestic animals were superior, could we not do the same with the human race? Social engineers worldwide worked to pass laws and create policies that would have "feeble-minded" degenerates confined to institutions and eventually sterilized to prevent the propagation of these unfit members of society. Perhaps the most notorious example of social engineering took place in Germany beginning in 1933. Other jurisdictions, though not as aggressive as the German program, certainly contributed their share to the intended "saving" of the human race. In the United States, over 30 jurisdictions implemented sterilization programs, some active as early as the late 1800s.