40 WHAT IS EUGENICS? 



effect on sexual offenders of either sex. As to the stock- 

 yard method of sterihzation, it would be unsuitable for the 

 purposes of punishment, and its use would increase the 

 unreasonable prejudices now often aroused against the 

 methods employed for eugenic purposes. In any case, we 

 are not here concerned with punishment. 



The essential difference between sterihzation and the 

 ordinary methods of birth control is that there is no going 

 back on sterilization. The surgeon cannot undo the work 

 of the surgeon. 



Sterihzation has been altogether condemned as being an 

 unjust interference with the liberty of the individual. 

 Now, whatever force there may be in this objection, it can 

 apply only to the operation if performed compulsorily. 

 Whether compulsion in this matter should ever be legahsed 

 is a question which may perhaps be left to those who come 

 after us to decide. At present certainly the pubhc would 

 not tolerate any such proposal, even if its justice could be 

 fully proved ; and no doubt it would be a dangerous innova- 

 tion, unless very carefully safeguarded. We shaU, in con- 

 sequence, here only be considering sterihzation in cases 

 where a consent has been obtained. The question will arise 

 later on, it is true, whether in certain circumstances some 

 pressure might not be applied in order to prevent such 

 consent from being unreasonably withheld. 



The practice of sterihzation has also been criticized on 

 the ground that it would increase promiscuous intercourse. 

 The reply to this objection is much the same as that already 

 given in regard to birth control — namely, that sterihzation 

 should be adopted in spite of certain disadvantages if it can 

 be shown that it would be on the whole beneficial. There 

 is, indeed, less objection to sterihzation than to birth control 

 on this account; for few persons would, for the sake of 

 immediate sexual gratification, voluntarily give up for ever 

 the chance of becoming a parent. Moreover, as to such 

 as would act thus, it would be an advantage if they were 

 to be permanently sterihzed, for we do not want persons 

 of their kind to reappear in the coming generations. 



