Dorothy Wertz (1938 – 2003)

WOMEN OF WESTPORT POINT

DOROTHY WERTZ

Pioneer in genetic ethics

2002 Main Road, Westport Point

Dorothy was described as “a voice for justice in health care, education and women’s rights across the globe.” She received a Ph.D. in Religion from Harvard in 1960 and taught at Bryn Mawr College.  Facing barriers in a male-dominated field, she renewed her interest in the social sciences and became a noted international authority on the ethical issues in the uses of genetic information.

She was a prolific author and co-wrote/co-edited seven books and many groundbreaking articles. A colleague noted that she wrote by hand on a yellow pad with few revisions.

Her husband Richard (Dick) Wertz, formerly an associate professor of American history at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was known locally as a builder and for his interest in Westport’s history. Dorothy and Richard collaborated to write a widely praised book: Lying-In: A History of Childbirth in America, including a chapter on delivering perfect babies, with its emphasis on technology, prenatal testing, and Caesarean sections.

Dorothy was a tireless world traveler and visitor to genetics centers. But she had other interests too such as Chinese and Indian artworks, and an eclectic fashion style. A colleague remarked: “It was hard not to focus on her colorful garb, hats, or remarkable jewelry, from all corners of the earth. That is, until she began to speak; then Dorothy had our full attention.”

Sources:

Knoppers, B. Dorothy C. Wertz 1938–2003. Nat Genet 35, 295 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1203-295