Nascere diseguali: considerazioni su eugenetica ed ereditarismo in Italia

At the end of the nineteenth century, Francis Galton founded the new science of «eugenics», with the aim of improving the «racial qualities of future generations». His intent was to create a new discipline integrating the themes of biological heredity, natural selection, and social stratification. This survey discusses recent literature on the spread of eugenics in early twentieth-century Italy, showing the peculiarities of Italian practitioners.Keywords: Eugenics; Racism; Italy; Social Stratification; Francis Galton: Corrado GiniParole chiave: eugenetica; razzismo; Italia; stratificazione sociale; Francis Galton; Corrado Gini

Motivazioni dell'agire dei medici che hanno applicato l'eutanasia nel regime nazi-fascista

- Michael von Cranach in this paper reports the killing of hundreds of thousands of disabled persons, mentally or physically ill, slaughtered in gas chambers or given lethal drugs, in the Third Reich during the Nazi period. The genocide of helpless and ailing persons (in addition to that of Jews, Gypsies and homosexuals) put into operation under the principles of eugenics, defence and health of the Arian race. In reality, the genocide represented a sadistic exercise of power, that alleged itself the right to decide on citizens' life or death. Many physicians connived with the regime and were consequently considered the progressive élite of the medical profession. Keywords: eugenics, defence of the race, biopolitics, exercise of power, scientific and progressive medicine under the Third Reich.

La stérilisation hitlerienne Un testo inedito di Camillo Berneri

- Camillo Berneri, an Italian anarchist, exiled in France during the fascist era, wrote in French this unpublished essay. This paper examines the law - passed in Nazi Germany in July 1933 - which made compulsory the sterilization of persons suffering from "hereditary diseases", such as psychiatric disorders. According to Berneri the roots of this law can be traced in the European (and American) debate on eugenic practices. Keywords: eugenics, sterilization, racism, national socialism, Camillo Bern