1937

An amendment of the Sexual Sterilization Act in this year allowed for the sterilization of “mental defectives” without their consent.1 Prior to the amendment, some procedures would become delayed, or not end up happening because individuals or family members would be reluctant to provide consent.2 The amendment was designed to remove this barrier and increase the efficiency of sterilization.3 Another amendment in 1942 broadened the category of people who could be sterilized to include people with syphilis, epilepsy, and Huntington’s Chorea, however patient consent was required in these cases.4