Sweden, sex and the disappearing doctors.

From 1935-1975 about 60,000 people were sterilised in Sweden as part of a plan originating from 1930s socialist theories which crudely applied Mendel's work to people. The aim was to prevent those with genetic diseases and mental illnesses from handing on their disabilities to another generation. Women accused of promiscuity were included, and accounted for 90% of those sterilised in the 1950s. Sterilisation was supposed to be a matter of choice but people were coerced into accepting it. A doctor who carried out many such operations explains how it was considered a normal part of his duties and politicians are keen to relegate these events to history. Travellers, known as 'Tartary' were especially targeted. They and other victims express their continuing anger and distress. Since this programme was made, the Swedish government has offered compensation to those who feel that they were sterilized without their free consent.