BUCK V BELL

274 U.S 200

FACTS:

Carrie Buck, a resident of the State of Virginia, was a “feeble-minded" woman, whose
mother was similarly feeble-minded. Ms. Buck was also the mother of a child likewise
described as feeble-minded. In an attempt to improve the human race by eliminating
"defectives" from the gene pool, Virginia passed a statute authorizing the superintendents of
institutions for certain classes of persons afflicted with hereditary conditions causing
insanity or imbecility to order the sterilization of such persons. In the sterilization
procedure, superintendents were required to present a petition to the board of directors for
their institutions, notify the inmate and their guardian, and convene a hearing to present
evidence for and against conducting the procedure. In this case, Dr. John Hendren Bell
conducted the proceedings against Ms. Buck and pushed for sterilization under the statute.

ISSUES:

(1) Whether a State, consistent with due process and equal protection, order the sterilization
of a woman deemed mentally deficient by a state agency and review board?

(2) Whether or not the statute is violation of the equal protection

HELD:

(1) Yes. The statute in question provided adequate safeguards, and appropriate opportunity
for notification and review, to conform to due process requirements. It is not unusual to
require something less than the sacrifice of their lives on behalf of the public good. Society
would be better served by preventing reproduction by its members most likely to produce
progeny dependent on the government. (2) No. Not all citizens are equally subject to the
potential to have their reproductive capacity forfeited. The State reasonably directs its
attention to those deemed unfit to reproduce and thereby conserves necessary resources for
other prerogatives. Forced sterilization is for the overall benefit of society.