382 EVOLUTION AND GENETICS 



cautious attitude is desirable but probably unnecessary. The men 

 in whose hands the administration of restrictive laws would be 

 placed would necessarily be trained scientists in whom we could 

 expect a maximum of ability and discrimination. The fact remains 

 that too many records show fecundity, pauperism, and feeble- 

 mindedness going hand in hand through the generations, and no 

 adequate reason can be given for the perpetuation of such con- 

 ditions. 



Many states have already provided legally for the sterilization 

 of defectives under prescrilied circumstances, and many operations 

 have been performed under these laws. It is a matter of record 

 that some individuals have voluntarily applied for treatment. 



Segregation of defective men and women is another measure 

 which would have the same effect. It is favored by many eugen- 

 ists, l^ut with the exception of cases in which confinement in 

 public institutions is necessary for other reasons it involves much 

 greater expense. Neither measure would bring about rapid reduc- 

 tion of defectives even if rigidly administered, but either would 

 be a step in the right direction. 



Guyer presents the following opinions in favor of segregation: 

 "It has been urged against vasectomy [sterilization] that it will 

 work untold harm because it relieves of the responsibility of a 

 probable parentage. This argument does not appeal to one as 

 very weighty as far as the imbecile or other degenerate is con- 

 cerned, because one of the very traits characteristic of such indi- 

 viduals is lack of any sense of responsibility. By this same token, 

 however, we have a very good argument for sequestration as 

 against sterilization, for the degenerate, even though sterilized, 

 will not be restrained sexually and will be likely to disseminate 

 venereal diseases or commit rape. Furthermore, there will 

 be the temptation to sterilize and liberate certain types 

 that vv^ould otherwise have been kept permanently in cus- 

 tody. 



Education of the Fit. The world has long cared for its depend- 

 ents, but if a valuable line ceases to perpetuate itself it is gone 

 forever. For this reason the correction of the disparity in birth 

 rate among desirable classes is greatly to be desired. Individuals 

 in these classes are responsible and self-maintaining. Together 

 they make up the backbone of social structure and their inter- 

 dependence is so complete that it is impossible to say that one is 



