Enduring CME Course: The History of Physicians and the American Eugenics Movement

Activity ID

13106

Expires

March 19, 2027

Format Type

Enduring

CME Credit

0.5

Fee

CME Provider: American Medical Association

Description of CME Course

Traditionally, medical treatments have adopted a “one-size-fits-all” approach with what’s been perceived as the “average person” in mind, using characteristics such as genetic makeup or the genetic profile of a disease. Today, we can consider individual differences in people’s genes, environments, and lifestyles. But what happens when modern science, ethics, and genetic research are conflated with the history of physicians in the American eugenics movement? In this episode, we’ll explore the legacy and promise of applying medical treatments that take individual differences into account using a historical context.

Disclaimers

1. This activity is accredited by the American Medical Association.
2. This activity is free to AMA members.

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NOTE: If a Member Board has not deemed this activity for MOC approval as an accredited CME activity, this activity may count toward an ABMS Member Board’s general CME requirement. Please refer directly to your Member Board’s MOC Part II Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment Program Requirements.

General Information on CME Activity

Educational Objectives

1. Summarize historical examples of unethical eugenics practices by government entities
2. Explain how eugenics movements historically caused harm to marginalized groups
3. Discuss rationale physicians have used to reconcile eugenics with their ethical oath
4. Identify steps health care professionals can take to apply historical knowledge to their practice today to end the legacy of eugenics

Keywords

Genetics and Genomics

Competencies

Medical Knowledge

CME Credit Type

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit

DOI

10.1001/ama.2022.0003705