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 wi!l 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. 
