Eugenics Records Office

The Eugenics Records Office, established in 1910 at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, was a research organization dedicated to studying human heredity with the goal of improving the human race. It promoted the idea of selective breeding by encouraging the reproduction of people with desirable traits and discouraging those with undesirable traits. The office supported eugenic policies that often led to unethical practices, including forced sterilizations. Modern understanding recognizes eugenics as scientifically flawed and morally wrong, as it infringes on individual rights and promotes discrimination based on genetics.