WHAT GENETICS IS 



Genetics is the study of the laws governing heredity, and their application to 

 all living creatures. Heredity, in Ribot's definition, is "that biological law by 

 which all beings endowed with life tend to repeat themselves in their descendants; 

 it is for the species what personal identity is for the individual. By it a ground- 

 work remains unchanged amid incessant variation; by it Nature ever copies and 

 imitates herself." 



"An exact determination of the laws of heredity," says William Bateson, "will 

 probably work more change in man's outlook on the world, and in his power over 

 nature, than any other advance in natural knowledge that can be clearly foreseen." 

 To gain this knowledge is the object of the science of genetics, which proceeds in 

 practice, largely by means of plant breeding and animal breeding, for the reason 

 that heredity is less complicated in these organisms than in Man, and its operation 

 can be more easily made out. The knowledge so gained finds its application in 

 methods for the improvement of cultivated plants and domesticated animals and, 

 most important of all, in the improvement of the human race through the science 

 of eugenics, which was defined by its founder, Francis Galton, as "the study of 

 agencies under social control that may improve or impair the racial qualities of 

 future generations, either physically or mentally." 



THE AMERICAN GENETIC ASSOCIATION 



is an incorporated organization, co-operative in nature and devoted to promoting 

 knowledge of the laws of heredity in the broadest sense of the word, and their 

 application to the improvement of plants, animals, and human racial stocks. It 

 is the largest organization in the world for the advancement of genetics, and its 

 organ. The Journal of Heredity, is the most important agent for furthering the 

 interchange of ideas between investigators of different phases of these problems, 

 and for the presentation of their results to the public. 



Through its committees on research, co-operation with which is not obligatory, 

 but is urged upon every member, the association collects information by means 

 of approved scientific methods applied to the subject of genetics. This infor- 

 mation, as well as that derived from other authoritative sources, it endeavors to 

 place before the public by means of its committee on education and extension, 

 and before its membership, in an attractive and understandable way, through 

 this magazine. The association constantly strives to further the cause of con- 

 servative, constructive science and to check the progress of fallacious and sen- 

 sational pseudo-science. While it can not assume responsibility for the accuracy 

 of statements made by contributors to The Journal of Heredity, it endeavors to 

 publish only such as are on a sound scientific basis, and members are urged to 

 contribute such articles, with illustrations. The magazine does not pretend en- 

 tirely to cover the immense field of genetics, but it is designed to keep members 

 informed of the latest results in research in the most interesting lines, and to present 

 these results in such a way that they will appeal not only to the specialists, but 

 to the general reader who desires to know what the specialists are doing in a science 

 that is of such personal importance to each individual. 



REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP 



Membership is composed of scientists, teachers, publicists, physicians, clergymen, 

 students, horticulturists, and breeders of live stock, throughout the world. 

 Subject to the approval of the council, any person interested in the improvement 

 of the human race or the creation of better varieties of plants and animals, is 

 eligible for membership. The secretary will be glad to correspond with those 

 interested, and to send a copy of the magazine for examination. Annual dues, 

 giving the right to attend all meetings and to receive the Journal of Heredity, 

 are $2; life membership is $50. Address all communications to 



THE AMERICAN GENETIC ASSOCIATION 



511 Eleventh Street Northwest Washington, D. C, U. S. A. 



