THE SWEDISH RACE^BIOLOGICAL INSTITUTE 53 



of the race and people in the right way. Racesbiology is, in other words, the sc'u 

 entific study of all the factors which exercise influence on the physical and spirit* 

 ual structure of coming generations. Thus has the Englishman, Francis Galton, 

 simply and clearly defined this branch of science, of which he himself is really the 

 founder.* 



And further: »Already several years ago, a prominent English investigator. 

 Professor Thomson, stated when speaking of the significance of race»biology, for 

 the human race: »We cannot but feel that the application of biological results 

 is only beginning, and beginning with a tardiness which is a reproach to human 

 foresight. There can be no doubt, that it would pay the British nation to put 

 aside a million a year for research on eugenics, or the inprovement of the -^ 

 human breed. » 



The truth of these words is clearly apparent, when one takes into consider* 

 ation the enormous and incessant increase of expenditure in reference to defective, 

 abnormal, criminal and anti«social individuals of different kinds, in all civilized 

 countries. 



Seen from this point»of»>view, we must look upon the establishment of a Race*^ 

 biological Institute as an absolute necessity, a pure and simple act of self«defence ; 

 on the part of a country, against its internal enemies. J 



It is a duty of Go^^rnment to pay attention to these demands, which have 

 originated from the most prominent investigators and physicians. They have a 

 powerful public opinion behind them which cannot be silenced in the end. On 

 the contrary, they meet with immediate approval in daily increasing circles. The 

 instinct of self-preservation in a race, tells them that something must soon be done, 

 to counteract the present degeneration which threatens to get the upper=hand.» 



By reason of a Parlamentary resolution, the Government requested investig* 

 ations, and direct suggestions to be made by the competent authorities as follow: 

 Uppsala and Lund Universities, »Karolinska Institutet» in Stockholm, the Royal 

 Medical Board and the University Chancellor. All these authorities testified to 

 the great significance of Race»biology, and supported the establishment of a Swe» 

 dish institute for Race»biological investigation (including human heredity research). 

 The Government gave its support, and brought forward a proposition on the sub* 

 ject to Parliament in 1921. We can quote some remarks of the Minister of 

 V Education, Dr. B. Bergqvist, which received the Royal sanction, and approval 

 of the Ministry: 



»It is without doubt clear to all, who are awake to certain circumstances at 

 the present time, that we cannot avoid being anxious for the future of the civili* 

 zed race. Amongst the many beneficial influences which are at work to improve 

 and meliorate the conditions of the human race, there obtain regrettable and dan* 

 gerous factors through which the result of these influences is threatened by under* 

 mining and annihilation. The struggle between these conflicting currents is not 

 new, but we at the present time have possibly felt the danger more forcibly of 

 permitting the destructive forces to execute their work, without any attempt to 

 counteract them. The meaning of the expression »Culture's sacrificial nature* stands 

 out clearer, the more civilization advances. As the welfare of the people as a 

 whole improves, mortality decreases, and the average length of life is increased etc., a 



