Eugenics
Eugenics is a science based on the work of Sir Francis Galton, that most traits are heritable, and that bad traits (like mental illness, intellectual disability, or any kind of physical disability) should not be allowed to continue. The three main goals of the eugenics movement were prohibition of marriage for undesirable people, segregation into asylums, and forced sterilization. This was thought to help the population overall, by culling undesirable and weak traits from the human population. Eugenicists also spent much time identifying traits in humans that were desirable, in addition to those which they wished to eradicate.

Do these attitudes continue in U.S. Society? In other societies? Are the goals of eugenics still being pursued, and if so, how?

Please comment on the question, and reply to at least one of your classmates' comments.

The State Boys Rebellion describes the experience of boys who lived at the Fernald School in Waltham, Massachusetts. Here is a video of the place.

 Fernald School Video (12 minutes)

Harvard, MIT, and the Quaker Oats company used to boys as subjects, inviting them to be part of the "Science Club."  The purpose of the research was to examine the effects of irradiated oatmeal on the kids.
This research was done without the kids' knowledge or permission, or their parents' permission. Additionally, sexual and physical abuse of the boys was common at Fernald.

Please comment on each of the following questions by Saturday, May 24, and reply to at least three of the comments by Sunday May 25 at Midnight. Include the number of the question and reword the question in your comments.

1. What purposes did Fernald School serve for the state of Massachusetts? For families?
2. Which character did you most connect with, and why?
3. If you were to talk to one of the abusive orderlies, what question would you ask him/her and why?
4. What events precipitated the rebellion and what was the fallout of it?
5. What are your personal feelings and observations about both the historical content of the book?