Dr. Peter Emil Becker and the Third Reich

Abstract

In 1985 the physician after whom Becker Muscular Dystrophy is named, German neurologist Dr. Peter Emil Becker (1908-2000), published an autobiographical article in the American Journal of Medical Genetics in which he disavowed any association with the Nazi Party. A closer look at the evidence, however, suggests otherwise. Review of war records and related sources raise concern for Dr. Becker's affiliation with the Nazi Party and his contributions to its ideology.