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Mar 10 2011

Is it legal to sterilize addicts?

38 min 4 movies discussed
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It's a controversial idea, to say the least: If evidence shows that addicts tend to be irresponsible, abusive parents, then why should they have children at all? In this podcast, Josh and Chuck explore the practice (and legality) of sterilizing addicts.

AI Summary

In this thought-provoking episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck dive into the controversial world of Project Prevention, an organization founded by Barbara Harris that pays drug addicts to get sterilized or use long-term birth control. The hosts explore the complex ethical questions surrounding Harris's program, which offers $300 for sterilization and $200 for birth control, examining both sides of this heated debate. They also delve into the disturbing history of eugenics in America, revealing how forced sterilization programs affected over 60,000 people and drawing unsettling parallels between past government policies and today's privately-funded initiatives.


Movies Discussed

Full Metal Jacket
Full Metal Jacket
1987 1h 57m
★ 8.1
"because he saw the full metal Jack Owens — They reference this movie when thanking someone named Coop for his photo work, making a play on words with the film title." — Josh
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
1984 1h 47m
★ 7.5
"Joey sent us personalized Ghost Buster shirts. — They're thanking a listener who sent them custom t-shirts designed like Ghostbusters uniforms." — Josh
Magnum, P.I.
Magnum, P.I.
1980
★ 7.3
"Aaron Cooper, who made us some super cool Magnum PI t-shirts with our images on them — They're thanking a listener who created custom t-shirts featuring their faces on Magnum P.I. themed shirts." — Josh
The Boys from Brazil
The Boys from Brazil
1978 2h 5m
★ 6.7
"You get yourself a nice Aryan race. Boys from Brazil. — Josh references this movie when discussing eugenics and the idea of creating a 'pure race' through selective breeding." — Josh

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