360 J. SANDERS 



instance gifted people who wish to devote themselves exclusively to the pro- 

 fession they have chosen, and which they regard as their vocation from 

 which neither marriage partner nor children may divert their attention. 



In the case of men their superior intellect is often responsible for their 

 celibacy. According to Lenz, this is true of the Roman Catholic clergy 

 who not infrequently remain single as a result of their exceptional mental 

 gifts, for innumerable young men are picked out to be ordained priests just 

 because of their great intellectual superiority. Only a very small percentage 

 of the population is so highly gifted as the average Roman Catholic priest. 



28. Men and women of marriageable age should be medically examined in 

 order to ascertain whether they have the right to marry in connection with the 

 procreation of offspring. 



Such an examination is necessary not only in case there should be objec- 

 tions to the marriage or at least to the procreation of children from a eugen- 

 ist point of view but — and this point is quite as important if not more so — 

 expert opinion should be obtained as to whether the parties concerned may 

 expect offspring physically and intellectually above the average. In cases 

 of this nature eugenists could, in the interest of the race and of the commun- 

 ity, advise prospective parents not to restrict too much the number of their 

 children, should they be inclined to do so. 



However, I am of opinion that this pre-marriage examination should not 

 take place just before marriage, at least not the first time. Every young 

 man and girl, say at the age of 20 should obtain advice in regard to whether 

 they are justified, from the point of view of eugenics, in begetting children. 

 Should there be reasons why they would do better not to perpetuate the 

 race, it is infinitely better that the parties concerned should be acquainted 

 with the facts before there is any question of an engagement, to say nothing 

 of a marriage. A medical examination shortly before marriage is undoubt- 

 edly also desirable but only to find out whether there are any traces of ven- 

 ereal disease, tuberculosis and perhaps a few other hereditary diseases. 



29. It is extremely desirable that the church should not only observe neutrality 

 as regards eugenics propaganda but she should collaborate with all the means at 

 her disposal to give effect to positive practical eugenics. 



At the second International Congress for Eugenics in 1921, and in his book 

 published in 1926, Leonard Darwin said: "Failure is, however, certain if the 

 problem is not attacked with religious zeal. There ought to be a great 

 moral campaign against the selfish regard for personal comfort and social 

 advancement." 



I too am of opinion that it is the duty of the Church to encourage the 

 eugenic movement to the utmost. The Church must realise that to encour- 



