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Involuntary, court-ordered sterilization of the mentally handicapped was once approved by the U.S. Supreme Court in Buck v. Bell. What is the name of the scientific area of study on which this now-discredited concept was based?

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Answer: eugenics

Step-by-step explanation:

The Buck vs. Bell ruling (May 2, 1927) that approved the eugenic sterilization of those considered genetically feeble, led the way to similar laws in 30 states under which around 65,000 people were sterilized without consent.

The Virginia General Assembly would recognize that the sterilization law was founded on flawed science and on May 2, 2002, a marker was built to acknowledge Carrie Buck in Charlottesville, her hometown.

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