Att sterilisera ondska : Kristna perspektiv på relationen mellan genetik och moral under mellankrigstiden

Sammanfattning

This study investigates three christian perspectives on the intellectual, moral and cultural influence of genetics in society during the interwar period in Sweden. Through studying three christian figures — politician Carl Lindhagen, priest and professor Arvid Runestam and zoologist Torsten Gislén — the study aims to describe how genetics was perceived in relationship to christianity and christian morality, how the genetic ideal was redefined within the discussion and to what extent morality was perceived as genetic. The study finds that all three figures focused on the importance of morality, however they differed in their understanding of what morality was and how it related to genetics. Both Runestam and Gislén thought that genetics could help foster christian morality, although in very different ways, while Lindhagen thought this could only be done through spiritual growth.