That’s nauseating. But it’s nothing compared to his suggestions for ‘underdeveloped countries’. Not only did he suggest sterilisation programmes, but he also proposed a ‘triaged’ system of who should be left to starve to death. Some countries could be redeemable – they might be able to dig their way out of it. But some countries were a lost cause. Rich countries should withdraw any food aid and support, and just leave them to die. It’s not clear how committed Paul R. Ehrlich really was to these ideas. But many – including senior officials in the US government – took his suggestions seriously.
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