20 CHARLES B. DAVENPORT 



as one does not need to organize propaganda in favor of the theorems of 

 geometry, just so little is propaganda required in favor of the laws of in- 

 heritance of haemophilia, polydactylism or moronity. 



WHAT OF THE FUTURE? 



First, research on human genetics, as the foundation of eugenics, should 

 be continued. We need to know more about the genetical factor present in 

 various morbid conditions, such as cancer and arterial and heart disease. 

 We need to know the genetical factors present that favor self control — 

 inhibition — or the lack of it. We need to know more about the genetical 

 factor that favors output in music, mathematics, invention, organization 

 and the rest. By a knowledge of the laws of inheritance of these special 

 capacities the chance of breeding them can be increased. And the day may 

 come when this country (which at the very beginning lured artisans, black- 

 smiths, mechanics, because of the houses, towns and cities that had to be 

 built) will offer a large premium for the inventive capacity which, once gone, 

 can be recovered only by importation. 



Second, extensive research is needed on mate selection and its instinctive 

 action. It is obviously important to know the biological basis of correct 

 choices. 



On the active control of mate selection we have heard much today. 

 It is probably well that the principle has been established in this country 

 that the fertile marriages of the feeble-minded, and the inheritably insane 

 should be reduced to a minimum. Of course, we recognize that even if none 

 of the inheritable feeble-minded reproduced in this generation, there would 

 be new cases of inherited feeble-mindedness in the next generation; though 

 reduced in number. This, because the defect is carried recessive, in normal 

 individuals. Our experience at the Eugenics Record Office indicates that 

 very many people with hereditary defect in the family are aware of the 

 danger of reproducing it : and many either avoid marriage or at least parent- 

 age on account of this family defect. Probably, in time, this practice will 

 become widespread, and thus the supply of the hereditarily feeble-minded 

 will gradually diminish. At least I think we may look for this result in 

 consequence of wider knowledge of the facts of inheritance. 



You have heard today discussed the possibility of increasing the marriage 

 rate and fecundity of the more effective, socially more efficient classes. I 

 can not add to that discussion; but, as an optimist and as a result of nu- 

 merous contacts with young people who are contemplating marriage, I 

 believe that more and more will be guided consciously (as well as instinc- 

 tively) to make matings that will ensure physically, mentally and tempera- 



