HUMAN CONSERVATION 315 



The first is the method of euthenics, or the science 

 of learning to live well. The second is eugenics, which 

 Galton defines as "the science of being well born." 

 Every gain in eugenics, it need hardly be said, will 

 make euthenics more effective but the reverse cannot 

 be affirmed. 



These two aspects of human betterment, however, 

 are inseparable. Any hereditary characteristic must 

 be regarded, not as an independent entity, but as a 

 reaction between the germplasm and its environment. 

 The biologist who disregards the fields of educational 

 endeavor and environmental influence, is equally at 

 fault with the sociologist who fails sufficiently to real- 

 ize the fundamental importance of the germplasm. 



Without euthenic opportunity the best of heritages 

 would never fully come to its own. Without the 

 eugenic foundation the best opportunity fails of ac- 

 complishment. The euthenic point of view, however, 

 must not distract the attention now, for the present 

 chapter is particularly concerned with the program of 

 eugenics. 



2. HUMAN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 



In an attempt to take account of human stock 

 Dr. H. H. Laughlin, of the Eugenics Record Office, 

 has made the following eugenical classification based 

 on the manner in which families assemble in their off- 

 spring heritable traits which determine for their pos- 

 sessors (a) social adjustment and (b) special talent 

 or defect. 



