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Control

The Dark History and Troubling Present of Eugenics

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Control

By: Adam Rutherford
Narrated by: Adam Rutherford
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About this listen

 How did an obscure academic idea pave the way to the Holocaust within just fifty years?
Why does eugenics still loom large in the 21st century, despite its genocidal past?
Did eugenics work? Could it work? Or was it always a pseudoscientific fantasy?

Throughout history, people have sought to reduce suffering, eliminate disease and enhance desirable qualities in their children. In the Victorian era eugenics, a full-blooded attempt to impose control over unruly biology, began to grow among the powerful and quickly spread to dozens of countries around the world. But these ideas are not merely historical: today, with new gene editing techniques, conversations are happening about tinkering with the DNA of our unborn children to make them smarter, fitter, stronger. Deeply steeped in contemporary genetics, CONTROL offers a vital account of one of the defining - and most destructive - ideas of the twentieth century. Biological Sciences Evolution & Genetics Genetics History History & Philosophy Physical Illness & Disease Racism & Discrimination Science Social Sciences Discrimination Social justice

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Critic reviews

A remarkable combination of intelligence, knowledge, insight and admirable political passion, on a serious moral problem in contemporary society (CARLO ROVELLI)
A short, sharp, illuminating overview of the science, politics, uses and abuses of human gene editing (Tim Adams)
Weighty and serious but accessible and perfectly pitched. The scholarship is astounding (ALICE ROBERTS)
A clear-sighted look at the past and present dangers of eugenics. Rutherford tells [the story] with great concision and with clarity, both scientific and moral. [He] condenses tricky concepts into smart and often witty prose, combining erudition with humility . . . honest, informed and humane (Philip Ball)
Breathtakingly brilliant and dark, a popular science book that doesn't talk down to you.
CONTROL is persuasive, sensible and ultimately reassuring, but it is not complacent . . . To know history is "to inoculate ourselves against its being repeated", Rutherford argues. From that perspective, this book is a shot worth having (Katy Guest)
Genetics has attracted brilliant, visionary scientists. It has attracted racists and charlatans. CONTROL skilfully weaves together these two strands of the discipline's history (HELEN LEWIS)
There are many involving arguments, historical surprises, detailed case studies and amiable jokes in this book, and you'll finish it with renewed respect for, and interest in, what real scientists do (Sam Leith)
[Rutherford's] scientific demolition of the eugenic project is brilliantly illuminating and compelling. His book will be indispensable for anyone who wants to assess the wild claims and counter-claims surrounding new genetic technologies (John Gray)
Discussions around the idea of population control are increasingly resurfacing. CONTROL's strength is that it provides not only much-needed guidance for these conversations by reminding us of the horrors of the past, but also uses scientific evidence to dismantle the viability of these ideas (Layal Liverpool)
Rutherford's swift, well-written account of these fascinating scientific and moral issues is well worth a read (Emma Duncan)
Rutherford sharply undermines the old trope that science is detached from politics, showing that to stand on the shoulders of giants is no barrier to recognising their flaws and fetishes. A vital warning from both history and science of the quiet horrors that can ensue if society becomes overconfident in its ability to 'improve' the population. Smart and surprisingly entertaining (CAROLINE DODDS PENNOCK)
Rutherford presents a profoundly sensible take on the complexities of history . . . an important book
Fizzy and pugnacious . . . brilliant . . . A fierce and funny broadside against eugenics and its admirers
Rutherford takes us on a journey that encompasses both the history of eugenics and its current-day practice . . . an
insightful and compelling study
Few are as well-qualified to perform the necessary demolition [of eugenics] as Adam Rutherford (Dominic Lawson)
All stars
Most relevant
Saw D Adam Rutherford at the New Scientist Live expo giving a talk based on this book and bought it subsequently. Very glad I did.

From the unbelievable statistics of eugenics practised today, to the ethics of deselecting foetuses with Downs Syndrome, to Kelloggs and his ‘anti-wanking’ cereal, this book had me from start to finish.

I also learned a lot about what I thought I know about genetics and our ability (or not) to effectively manipulate them.

I’ve always believed that to solve the big problems facing the world (climate change, disease, poverty, nuclear decommissioning, food security, water) we have to start thinking like One World. The homogeneity of our genes is a great place to start from!

Thought provoking, enlightening, & horrifying

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At times I was in a state of despair, then hope, then disgust, fear, motivation, sympathy, empathy, unbelievably deep sadness and shame, then uplifted in the prospect that others may take up their opportunities to listed to Adam Rutherford’s reading of his book.

Necessarily technical in parts, but Rutherford navigates our way through benefitting from the fact that he understands what he has written! Consequently, the stresses, nuances and occasional humour of the text come through.

Perhaps it may be seen as a deep dive into science and ethical philosophy but the presentation is still accessible to a general, and interested, reader/listener.

Rutherford takes on the challenge of showing us unpalatable truths and consequences, and, I think, success in not driving us away and so getting his points across.

This is a high quality recording, narration and story. Five Stars all around * * * * * and we’ll deserved.

Difficult and challenging, enhanced by the author reading it.

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A fascinating journey through the history and present state of eugenics. Should be essential reading for all students of biology and any interested laypeople .

Essential reading

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Enjoyed this book very much especially when the misconceptions were explained and where the use of this “science” was used as a weapon on society by misled and misleading political drivers and actors.
I look forward to reading further from this author.

Excellent review.

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strikes the right balance of depth of information and accessibility for the average person.

informative, clear and engaging

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