This article provides an empirical test of Duster’s backdoor-to-eugenics hypothesis. Testing of the hypothesis is not straightforward. As indicated earlier, support depends on the convergence of two related phenomena. First, the modern genetic research enterprise must increase the public’s exposure to statements indicating that racial groups differ in terms of genetically influenced diseases. Second, the public must respond to these statements with an increased belief that racial groups differ more essentially, in ways that go beyond health. We conducted a multi-method study to evaluate both of these possibilities. To evaluate the first, we conducted a media content analysis. To address the second, we constructed news-account vignettes based on news stories identified in the content analysis and carried out an experiment assessing the impact of reading different news accounts on belief in essential racial differences.
