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Show i 1 CHAIRMAN OF THE EUGENICS CONFERENCE i Piisiilii1 Darwin's theory of evolution, th Y survival of the fittest and the influ- ence of environment In the develop- f ment of organic life, has provoked much controversy, and has sometimes been allowed to remain in the dim domain do-main of speculation like the atomic theory of Epicurus or the Platonic system sys-tem of ideas. It has at last been recognized as something practical in the social life of the human race. The most sober-minded of physicians, economists, and philanthropists have acknowledged that the improvement of the race, the promotion of its happiness, hap-piness, and the prevention of many moral errors depend very largely upon a recognition of such laws as that of heredity. The parents of the coming generation are to be looked to for the furthering of the race's happiness in the future. It is upon this basis that a new science, Eugenics, has been inaugurated and has claimed tie at- . tention of the world. The First International Eugenics conference, recently held in London, was attended by men and women delegates from America, France, Germany, Nor- , w-ay, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Japan. It is interesting to note that the presi- ' dent of the society was the son of the very Charles Darwin who originated the theory of evolution on which its principles are based. "It is essential to bear in mind," points our Major Darwin, "the truth that if the human race is to continue to progress, indeed, if it Is not to lose some of the ground so painfully won in the long ages of struggle in the past, some other agency, checking the reproduction of the feeble in body and mind, must be made to take the place of natural selection, the action of which we are now in so many ways rightly endeavoring to prevent." |
