Pictorial Human Embryology

even science whose origins and motives are tainted by sociopolitical influences can be considered "good" or "normal." (This premise is, of course, essential to accept before we are even confronted with the ethical dilemma of whether or not we should use the Nazis' data today.) The problem arises, however, not so much in the theories that are produced by such science as in the application of those theories. The Nazis, for example, thought that alcoholism was a disesae, and today we may have isolated a genetic defect which supports that thesis. They, however, as a result of this knowledge advocated sterilization and social isolation of alcoholics, whereas our society is hopeful that such information can be used to help diagnose, treat, or even cure the disease. This concept leads to the second highly relevant question which confronts us in the book, i.e., that of the scientist's responsibility for knowledge s/he uncovers. If society can take pure, truthful knowledge and pervert it for corrupt ends, is the scientist responsible for ensuring that this situation doesn't occur or for withholding discoveries that may be abused? (Assuming, of course, the scientist is free from social corruption, a fact that we have seen is not always true.) Even assuming the objectivity of the scientist, this outcome is dependent on the sociopolitical situation at the time of the research. Surely we cannot hold Fermi, who discovered nuclear fission in 1934, responsible for the ethical dilemmas we face in the nuclear age. We may also assert that the American eugenicists Dugdale and Goddard (cf. p. 99) who did their research in the 1870s and 1910s, are less culpable for the abuse of their work than Fritz Lenz, who did his work in Germany in the '30s and '40s. Proctor touches on some of these issues, and alludes to some resolutions, but not in as satisfying or detailed a manner as we might hope. Racial Hygiene is an extremely serious book which deals with a very difficult topic. Proctor's work cannot but provoke thoughtful doctors and scientists to evaluate their roles and the power of their work in society. All who read it will learn to appreciate that even more than we are an important part of our societies, they are an important part of us.