Boundary Transgressions

In its endeavor to merge together the biosciences and biopolicy, the group of researchers at the KWI-A did the legwork for the National Socialist regime knowingly and willingly. The institute’s scientists provided the genetic health and race policy of the “New Germany” with a fixed basis of legitimation, defended it with the weight of their scientific authority at international congresses, and in this manner helped to reduce foreign political pressure on the National Socialist state. Their popular science writings and lectures for the German public were propaganda for the biopolicy of the Nazi rulers. In a multiplicity of courses and training sessions they made a vital contribution to the instruction and further education of professionals — above all health officers and judges — who played an important role in implementing biopolicy. Through scientific consulting as members of advisory boards and expert staffs, the institute’s scientists collaborated directly in laying the foundation for this policy and keeping it up to date. As experts, they played a key role in the registration and selection of Jews, Sinti, and Roma, “Rhineland bastards,” “foreign nationals,” “the genetically ill,” and people with physical or mental disabilities.