Kaiser Wilhelm Institute plaque

English translation: This building was occupied from 1927-1945 by the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institute for Anthropology, Human Genetics, and Eugenics. Under the directorship of Eugen Fischer (1927-1942) and Otmar von Verschuer (1942-1945) the institute provided scientific justifications for the inhuman race and birth policies of the NS regime.  It provided expert opinions on issues concerning family records and forced sterilizations, and instructed SS physicians and judges who presided over cases concerning genetic "health." Thus, Fischer, Verschuer, and their staff actively contributed to the selection of "unworthy life" and murder. Joseph Mengele, a student and close collaborator of von Verschuer, planned his twin studies here, and organs removed from selected and murdered prisoners were examined in this building. Mengele conducted his research with approval by the Reichsforschungsrat (Reich Research Council) and financed by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Science Foundation) in the Auschwitz concentration camp. These crimes remain unpersecuted and unpunished. Von Verschuer taught until 1965 as Professor for Genetics in Münster, Germany. Scientists are to be held responsible for the content and consequences of their research. (DNAi location: Chronicle > In the Third Reich > Taking the torch)

Kaiser Wilhelm Institute

auschwitz concentration camp,german science foundation,kaiser wilhelm institute,eugen fischer,ns regime,human genetics,mnster,genetic health,third reich,deutsche forschungsgemeinschaft,eugenics,directorship,otmar,justifications,collaborator,plaque,holocaust,anthropology,organs,prisoners

  • ID: 15765
  • Source: DNALC.DNAi

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15736. Charles Davenport and Eugen Fischer

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15766. James Watson at the former Kaiser Wilhelm Institute

James Watson at the former Kaiser Wilhelm Institute. Source: Jan Witkowski, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

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15825. Otmar von Verschuer examines hair color of twin boys

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15827. Otmar von Verschuer performing lung volume tests

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15829. Otmar von Verschuer examines twin boys

Otmar von Verschuer examines twin boys. Source: Archiv zur Geschichte der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Berlin-Dahlem.

  • ID: 15829
  • Source: DNAi

15824. Otmar von Verschuer examines eye color of twin boys

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  • ID: 15824
  • Source: DNAi

15828. Otmar von Verschuer collects fingerprints

Otmar von Verschuer collects fingerprints. Source: Archiv zur Geschichte der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Berlin-Dahlem.

  • ID: 15828
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  • ID: 15468
  • Source: DNAi