Learning from the Past of Human Genetics
Human genetics has a rich history; its study is of value in its own right and we are in the fortunate position that much of it is still intact. The history of human genetics also has more general lessons from which we can learn; a few examples of this, encountered in personal studies, will be discussed, including the following:
Human genetics is not an afterthought of general genetics, but has been at the centre of genetic thought and analysis for more than a century, as has the study of inherited disorders.
The close and widespread connection in the first part of the 20th century between human genetics and the abuses of eugenics is undeniable, must not be forgotten and should be learned from, if we are to avoid comparable abuses in the future.
The third example is a largely unwritten history of a major episode in our field: the creation and destruction of human and medical genetics in Soviet Russia. While this catastrophe has been documented in relation to agriculture and general genetics, few people are aware of the early Russian contributions to human genetics or how they were destroyed. The opening of archives may now allow this story to be told fully and it will be of general relevance to the relationship between politics and science.
Finally, all countries need to take action to ensure that their contributions to the history of human and medical genetics are preserved and made available to the wider community. The Genetics and Medicine Historical Network (genmedhist.net), with the support of Wellcome Trust, is attempting to encourage and coordinate this process.