Over the first few years of the 21st century, China was able to make a good yearly profit on its sterilization operations, estimated at close to $60 billion a year.

Mrs. Kumari listened intently while the elected headman of this northern Indian village tried to persuade her to have a sterilization operation the next day.

Laughlin saw the need to create a "Model Law" which could withstand a test of constitutional scrutiny, clearing the way for future sterilization operations.

Initially, laparoscopy was used for procedures such as tubal ligation, a sterilization operation also known as tying the tubes.

In the 1970s the Eugenics Board was moved around from department to department, as sterilization operations declined in the state.

Requests to grant the victims reverse sterilization operations were denied.

Govinda Rao, an illiterate farm worker who earns about 50 cents a day, had a sterilization operation a year ago when she was just 21.

"Those persons subjected to the sterilization operations are not being singled out," the memorandum said.

"Every family which has more than one child is being sought by the Chinese officials to submit to a sterilization operation."

California sterilized more than any other state by a wide margin, and was responsible for over a third of all sterilization operations.