| Background Information | "The Galton Institute exists to promote the public understanding of human heredity and to facilitate informed debate about the ethical issues raised by advances in reproductive technology. It also publishes studies in the historical development of these topics." (www.galtoninstitute.org.uk) The birth of the Institute, known for most of its existence as the Eugenics Society, reflected the post-Darwin international interest in the role of hereditary characteristics and eugenics in the early twentieth century. Since the 1920s the Institute has focussed on heredity research, with the current name being adopted in 1989. The Institute also has a Birth Control Trust, allocating funds to birth control projects in Britain or overseas. The Trust's roots lie in the 18 year period from 1959 to 1977 when, following the death of Marie Stopes, the then Society administered Stopes' Mothers' Clinic. In order to do so, two companies were formed: the Marie Stopes Memorial Foundation Ltd (the managing company for clinic), and the Society for Constructive Birth Control Limited (the holding company). When in 1977 the Eugenics Society decided to close the clinic (which was then reopened under the management of Marie Stopes International) and put both companies into voluntary liquidation, the residual assets of the Marie Stopes Memorial Foundation reverted unconditionally to the Eugenics Society. The Society for Constructive Birth Control funds were transferred to the Eugenics Society, in trust, as earmarked funds to be used for purposes identical to those for which the Society for Constructive Birth Control had existed: 'the relief of poor persons by the provision of birth control advice'. Sources: www.galtoninstitute.org.uk; Barberis et al 2000 pp370-1; contact with NGO, Jan & March 2007. |
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