AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eugenics, or the pseudoscience of human breeding, reached the height of its notoriety in the early 1900s but never truly disappeared, according to a new book that examines the influence that the debunked movement had on Texas.

“The Purifying Knife: The Troubling History of Eugenics in Texas,” written by Michael Phillips and Betsy Friauf, was published this week. It examines the history and influence of eugenics in the state.

Co-author and former history professor Dr. Michael Phillips spoke with KXAN about the book on Wednesday.

"We had mixed feelings doing this book, because this comes in a time when there's so much dangerous rejection of science in terms of vaccines, in terms of climate change and other issues," Phillips said.

Phillips, who earned his doctorate in 2002

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