DEVELOPMENT OF EUGENICS 19 



Let us note some of the advance in the study of human genetics made in 

 the new era. In the first glance the inheritance of a lot of normal varying 

 characters has been placed on a Mendelian basis, such as stature, body 

 build, pigmentation of hair and skin, eye color, hand form; also tempera- 

 ment, mental traits and quality of the special senses. Similar progress has 

 been made in studying defects and diseases on a genetic basis. Twins, 

 endocrine conditions and a number of sex-linked characters have had their 

 factors investigated. 



One of the greatest advances of this period of research has been the change 

 in attitude of pathologists toward the hereditary factor in disease. We have 

 come a long way from the standpoint of the medical man who said, in effect, 

 tuberculosis is due to the bacillus tuberculosus and that is all there is to it — 

 despite the fact that practically every adult harbors the tubercle bacillus. 

 Rather the conclusion of Professor Jobling of the College of Physicians and 

 Surgeons in this city is being reached, who said; Henceforth the physician 

 and geneticist must work together. 



But, as we are constantly reminded, human genetics is only part of 

 eugenics. Research in eugenics must also be concerned with mate selection. 

 This field is indeed little worked; yet it will yield and is yielding great 

 results. 



During the past two decades the importance of eugenics to mankind has 

 become recognized by thoughtful leaders and an attempt has been organized 

 to "put it across," as we say; to secure the adoption and practice of the 

 principles established. Eugenic societies have been organized with that 

 high aim. While one can only applaud the purpose and wish god-speed 

 to the effort, still, on the other hand, one may be excused if he does not 

 enter with enthusiasm into such propaganda. 



Propaganda, as I understand it, is the organized effort to get accepted some 

 principle the truth and value of which have not been, or can not be, dem- 

 onstrated but of whose importance the propagandists hold a strong opinion. 

 They are, if not morally surely emotionally, certain of its truth and undertake 

 a crusade, or indeed, a warfare to lure or force others to accept their way 

 of thinking. Thus we have had the prohibition propaganda, the laborless- 

 child propaganda, the birth control propaganda and the rest. 



Now it is hoped and expected that human genetics will, in due time, be 

 placed on a basis, not of opinion but of fact, like the facts of animal breeding. 

 When that time comes, indeed probably before it comes, writers of text- 

 books for the schools or writers of books for general reading will have pre- 

 sented the facts and even drawn immediate deductions from them. Just 



