Health care professionals are guided by a fundamental principle: “Do no harm.” This motto faced serious challenges during World War II, particularly as the medical community grappled with the consequences when healers turned into instruments of violence.
During the Nazi regime, many doctors committed horrific acts. In the U.S., however, the medical community largely stayed silent, influenced by various factors, including societal norms and a lack of public outcry.
“A Poisoned Practice,” a compelling exhibit at the McGoogan Health Sciences Library, delves into these complex factors. It examines the American eugenics movement and the information available to the Omaha medical community regarding the Holocaust. The exhibit also discusses the ethical implications that arose from these tragic events, notably leading to the Nuremberg Code, which aimed to establish guidelines for ethical medical practices.
This exhibit, in collaboration with the Calvin T. Ryan Library at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, is part of a traveling program funded by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It will be on display until June 15.
If you’re interested, you can find the exhibit on Level 8 of the McGoogan Health Sciences Library in Wittson Hall or explore it online here.
On February 17, the McGoogan Library will host a panel discussion titled “From Eugenics to Ethics: Lessons for Today’s Medical Community.” This discussion aims to unpack the troubling legacy of eugenics and its lasting impact on medical ethics.
Dr. Matthew Wynia, a professor at the University of Colorado, will share insights on how past misinterpretations of science justified harm in medicine. He focuses on social roles in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of ethical frameworks that prioritize equity and justice. His research aims to illuminate contentious issues in health ethics.
Alongside him, Dr. Patricia Heberer-Rice from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum will discuss medical crimes and eugenics policies in Nazi Germany. As a senior historian, she ensures historical accuracy in museum content and educates the public on these critical issues.
Darby Kurtz, the special collections curator, will moderate the panel, introducing the discussion along with Mark Celinscak from the Fried Academy.
This event is backed by the Sam and Frances Fried Holocaust and Genocide Academy at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Calvin T. Ryan Library. Together, they bring attention to “Americans and the Holocaust,” made possible by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
If you’re intrigued, you can register to attend the discussion here.
The themes of this exhibit and discussion resonate deeply in today’s medical landscape. As modern health care faces its own ethical challenges, reflecting on history can guide us in fostering a more equitable and humane system.
