American Genes

Will Freedom Die In Pursuit Of A Genetically Pure America? In 1930 thirteen-year-old Anna Olsons social life ends when she has the first of two seizures which in the eyes of some means she has bad genes. Unfortunately Joan Bridenbaugh a local social worker is one of them. She is a eugenics fanatic who believes the United States should adopt the harsh strategies the Nazis use to eliminate defective people. Joan wants to sterilize Anna and put her in a state institution for epileptics. Annas parents fight tirelessly to stop her. When Annas father perishes in a fierce snowstorm and her mother succumbs to influenza Joan makes her move. Standing in Joans way are family friends who believe Anna should live with them. The two sides clash in a dramatic custody battle that reveals the dark undercurrents of the eugenics movement. As she waits for the judges decision Anna is on pins and needles fearing the worst is yet to come.