From the post, I assume that the party in questioned checked regarding the state laws for retention of medical records.  I believe that the concern would be centered around issues of maintaining the standard of confidentiality normally associated with medical records rather than an ethical judgement regarding the procedures contained within those records.  My concern would rest with the obligation of someone to maintain these records for how long. As these were only consent forms, there is probably a statute of limitations. 
Regarding history, I am sure that the State of Washington was maintaining statistics regarding procedures such as sterilization in the 1960s and 1970s. Beyond that, we could get into a debate regarding the right to privacy, confidentiality issues, and "right to know" so far as the history of individuals goes.  

>>> [log in to unmask] 08/02/02 12:49PM >>>
Oh, do, please tell me you're just kidding. As I am certain this
comment will engender much comment, I'll be brief.

As custodians of our nation's history we DO NOT have the right
to arbitrarily destroy this material. Perhaps had your personal
sensibilities not been so offended you may have offered these
records to your state historical society or other appropriate
archives where they may have been preserved in accordance with
generally accepted practice.

Diane

My opinions are mine alone and in no means may be assumed
to reflect on my institution or any organization with which
I am affiliated.


On Fri, 2 Aug 2002 08:49:59 -0700, Issaquah Historical Society Info
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>We have not dealt with drafting documents pertaining to such a donation,
but
>I did find a pile of medical records in one of our storage areas once. It
>had not been formally accessioned and had just been stacked up at some
point
>before the museum had an official director. I was horrified to find that
>they were sterilization release forms from the 1960s and 70s, brought over
>from a docter's home after his death. I had them shredded.
>
>I would investigate the laws dealing with such paperwork and design the
>paperwork so that the donor is responsible for removing them and having
them
>shredded.
>
>Good luck,
>Erica
>
>Erica S. Maniez
>Museum Director, Issaquah Historical Society
>425/392-3500
>[log in to unmask]
>www.issaquahhistory.org
>

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
========================================================= Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).