Gov. Easley eliminates sterilization law

RALEIGH, N.C., April 17 (UPI) -- Gov. Mike Easley signed legislation Thursday to repeal a North Carolina law that had been used to involuntarily sterilize thousands of people.

The state's program allowed the Eugenics Board of North Carolina to sterilized more than 7,600 people from 1929 through 1974.

The law that was stricken allows sterilization in cases of a person's "mental, moral or physical improvement," or for the "public good." It took effect in 1975 after legislators dissolved the eugenics board.

The program was based on the eugenics movement's claims that sterilization could eradicate mental illness, genetic defects and social ills.

"To the victims and families of this regrettable episode in North Carolina's past, I extend my sincere apologies and want to assure them that we will not forget what they have endured," Easley said.

North Carolina was one of 33 states to pass sterilization laws in the early 1900s based on eugenics.

However, House Bill 36 does allow for continued sterilizations in North Carolina, but for mentally impaired wards when there is a medical necessity such as cancer treatment.

"This new law will ensure that sterilization procedures are only used when the individual faces a serious and potentially life-threatening illness," the governor said.