Human Betterment Foundation

Human Betterment Foundation

The Human Betterment Foundation was established in 1928, in California, by Ezra Seymour Gosney (Briggs, 2013). The goal of the organization was to publish and support research on the effects of sterilizations carried out on thousands of people under eugenic legislation in California, first enacted in 1909 (Briggs, 2013). This goal was quite successful, and the Foundation was very influential (Briggs, 2013). During the Foundation's existence, numerous publications were issued highlighting benefits of sterilization for individuals subjected to it, and for society at large. Public lectures and newspaper articles were also produced to reach larger audiences (Briggs, 2013).

Gosney served as director, and Paul Popenoe served as secretary. Prior to establishing the Foundation, Gosney, influenced by Harry Laughlin's Eugenical Sterilization in the United States, consulted with Laughlin to find the best way to promote eugenic sterilization in California (Briggs, 2013). Laughlin suggested Gosney work with a scientist, prompting Gosney to contact Paul Popenoe, and leading to the eventual founding of the organization (Briggs, 2013). Other notable supporters of the Foundation included Stanford University president David Starr Jordan, Charles Goethe, Robert Millikan, and the Eugenics Record Office in Cold Spring Harbor (Briggs, 2013).

The Foundation's most notable publication was Sterilization for Human Betterment: a summary of results of 6000 operations in California, 1909-1929 (Briggs, 2013). The Foundation never advocated for the use of sterilization as a punishment for crimes, but only as a preventative measure (as suggested by the case Buck v. Bell in 1927) (Briggs, 2013). The Foundation also helped back bills in California during the 1930s, to establish a Eugenics Board and to allow sterilization to extend to all state institutions (Briggs, 2013). Many countries corresponded with the Foundation, include Germany, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Japan, and others (Briggs, 2013). After Gosney passed away in 1942, the foundation also dissipated.

-Colette Leung

Human Betterment Foundation

The Human Betterment Foundation was established in 1928, in California, by Ezra Seymour Gosney (Briggs, 2013). The goal of the organization was to publish and support research on the effects of sterilizations carried out on thousands of people under eugenic legislation in California, first enacted in 1909 (Briggs, 2013). This goal was quite successful, and the Foundation was very influential (Briggs, 2013). During the Foundation's existence, numerous publications were issued highlighting benefits of sterilization for individuals subjected to it, and for society at large. Public lectures and newspaper articles were also produced to reach larger audiences (Briggs, 2013).

Gosney served as director, and Paul Popenoe served as secretary. Prior to establishing the Foundation, Gosney, influenced by Harry Laughlin's Eugenical Sterilization in the United States, consulted with Laughlin to find the best way to promote eugenic sterilization in California (Briggs, 2013). Laughlin suggested Gosney work with a scientist, prompting Gosney to contact Paul Popenoe, and leading to the eventual founding of the organization (Briggs, 2013). Other notable supporters of the Foundation included Stanford University president David Starr Jordan, Charles Goethe, Robert Millikan, and the Eugenics Record Office in Cold Spring Harbor (Briggs, 2013).

The Foundation's most notable publication was Sterilization for Human Betterment: a summary of results of 6000 operations in California, 1909-1929 (Briggs, 2013). The Foundation never advocated for the use of sterilization as a punishment for crimes, but only as a preventative measure (as suggested by the case Buck v. Bell in 1927) (Briggs, 2013). The Foundation also helped back bills in California during the 1930s, to establish a Eugenics Board and to allow sterilization to extend to all state institutions (Briggs, 2013). Many countries corresponded with the Foundation, include Germany, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Japan, and others (Briggs, 2013). After Gosney passed away in 1942, the foundation also dissipated.

-Colette Leung