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CC BY 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2024; 28(02): e319-e325
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1776701
Original Research

History of Eugenics in Otorhinolaryngology: Ernst Rüdin and the International Eugenics Network

Beato Suwa 
1   Hohendodeleben, Saxony–Anhalt, Germany
› Author Affiliations Funding Dr. Beato Suwa reports grants from Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Sachsen-Anhalt (Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Saxony-Anhalt) in connection with Praxis Wanzleben, Hohendodeleben.
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Abstract

Introduction The early geneticist and psychiatrist Ernst Rüdin (1874–1952) became one of the key figures in the eugenics movement and in the German health system of the Nazi era. His connections in the international eugenics network have played an important role in the history of eugenics.

Objective To discuss the connections between Ernst Rüdin's scientific group in Munich and Otmar von Verschuer's group in Frankfurt during the Nazi era.

Methods Otorhinolaryngological materials from Ernst Rüdin's former private library are presented, and they show Rüdin's deep involvement in the international eugenics network. These materials provide insights into early medical genetics in otorhinolaryngology.

Results One result of the present study is that eugenics groups from Munich, Frankfurt, and New York certainly influenced one another in the field of otorhinolaryngology. Karlheinz Idelberger and Josef Mengele were two scientists who performed hereditary research on orofacial clefts. Later, Mengele became deeply involved in Nazi medical crimes. His former work on orofacial clefts clearly had, to some extent, an influence on subsequent studies.

Conclusion An international eugenics network already existed before 1933. However, it becomes clear that the weaknesses of many early genetic studies did not enable its authors to draw firm scientific conclusions, suggesting that scientists lacked an accurate concept of the genetic causes of most illnesses.

Keywords

cleft palate - eugenics - history of medicine - national socialism - otosclerosis

Author's Contributions

BS: conception, study design, analysis, interpretation, and drafting of the manuscript. The final version of the manuscript was read and approved the author.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 07 March 2023

Accepted: 09 September 2023

Article published online:
24 January 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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