Harry J. Haiselden

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Harry John Haiselden

Harry J. Haiselden (1870–1919) was an American physician and surgeon known for his controversial stance on eugenics and his involvement in the Baby Bollinger case. His actions and beliefs sparked significant ethical debates in the early 20th century.

Early Life and Education

Harry J. Haiselden was born in 1870. Details about his early life and education are sparse, but he eventually pursued a career in medicine, becoming a licensed physician and surgeon.

Medical Career

Haiselden worked as a physician and surgeon in Chicago, Illinois. He gained notoriety for his involvement in the Baby Bollinger case in 1915, which brought him into the national spotlight.

Baby Bollinger Case

In November 1915, Haiselden was called to attend to a newborn named Baby Bollinger at the German-American Hospital in Chicago. The infant was born with severe physical deformities. Haiselden made the controversial decision to withhold surgical intervention, effectively allowing the baby to die. He justified his decision by arguing that the child's quality of life would be severely compromised and that it was more humane to let the child die.

Haiselden's decision was heavily influenced by his belief in eugenics, a movement that advocated for the improvement of the human race through selective breeding and the elimination of those deemed unfit. His actions and public statements ignited a fierce ethical debate about the role of physicians, the rights of patients, and the principles of eugenics.

Public Reaction and Controversy

The Baby Bollinger case received widespread media attention, and Haiselden's actions were both condemned and supported by various segments of society. Some praised him for his honesty and courage, while others accused him of playing God and violating the Hippocratic Oath.

Haiselden further fueled the controversy by appearing in a 1917 film titled The Black Stork, which dramatized the Baby Bollinger case and promoted eugenic ideas. The film was both a commercial success and a source of further ethical debate.

Legacy

Harry J. Haiselden's actions and beliefs left a lasting impact on the fields of medicine and bioethics. His involvement in the Baby Bollinger case is often cited in discussions about medical ethics, the role of physicians, and the history of eugenics in the United States.

Death

Haiselden died in 1919. His legacy remains controversial, with ongoing debates about the ethical implications of his decisions and the broader impact of the eugenics movement.

See Also

• Eugenics
• Medical ethics
• The Black Stork
• German-American Hospital