SCIENCE CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2235, 22 August 1914, Page 9

SCIENCE CONGRESS

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS PROBLEMS OF HEREDITY THE DECLININC BIRTH-RATE. By Telegraph-Press "Association-Copyright Sydney, August 21. . _ There was a brilliant gathering at the inaugural meeting of the Science Congress at the . Town Hall, the Governor (Sir Gerald Strickland) presiding. In welcoming the visitors, he referred to the honour conferred upon Sydnoy by euch an important gathering of scientists. , ' Professor Bateson, in replying, said the Congress was a record, both in regard to the distance travelled and the numbers attending. Ho 6poke appreciatively of the generous treatment received in Australia. . Professor Bateson delivered his presidential address, tho subject being "Heredity! ,, He said the chief conclusion to be drawn was a negative one. Though one* must hold to one's faith in the evolution of species, there was little evidence as to how that evolution came about, afrid no clear proof that the process was continuing to any- considerable degree at the present time. "The thought uppermost in our minds is that our knowledge of nature and life is altogether too slender to warrant speculation on these fundamental subjects; but, though in regard to .these theoretical aspects, we must confess such deep ignorance, enough .has been learned of the gen-, eral course of heredity within a single species to justify many practical conclusions which in the main cannot be .shaken. , - .

Developing some of the conclusions reached,- he -said no individual could pass on .to his offspring positive characters which he himself did not possess, in one respect, civilised man differed from all other species—that, in having prodigious and ever-increasing powers over nature, he invokes these powers for the preservation and maintenance of many of the inferior and,all defective members of hie species.. Heredity being strict in its action, the consequences are.in civilised countries much what they would be in the kennels of a dog-breeder who preserved all puppies, good and la-d; che proportion of defective increases. Infcrentially, he menturned that the remedies proposed in America, so far as they 'aimed at the eugenic- regulation of marriage on a comprehensive scale, etruck him as having, been devised without regard to the needs eithor of'the'.individual or of the modern etate. Undoubtedly, if it, were decided-to breed a population of one _ uniform puritan grey, they could do it in a few generations, but he doubted if timid respectability would make a nation happy, and was sure that qualities oi' a 'different sort wero needed if , it was to compete with the more vigorous and more varied communities. It is not the eugemsts who could give what l J iato called the divine releases from common ways. Genetic research' will make it possible for a nation to elect what sort of beingj it mil be represented by not very many '. generations hence, much as a farmer can decide the character of hisi byre. It will be surprising if somo nation does not make the trial. This new power will make awful' mistakes, but it will try. Medical students are taught to prolong life at whatever cost in. suffering. This may have -boon bright': when diagnosis was uncertain'. '• Interfei-' ence usually has a small effect; but deliberately to interfere now for the preservation of an infant .so gravely disoased that it could never be happy or oome to any good, is very like wanton cruelty. .Professor Bateson added that it wasofton_ urged that the decline of the birthrate in the intelligent and successful sections of the population was to bo regretted. Even this could' not be granted Without qualifications. Ho declared that the declining birth-rate was iiot necessarily to be regretted in densely-popu-lated countries. That future generations would not hesitate to use the powers of science to rid themselves of the weight of tho defective portion of the race, nnd that medical ethics may be reformed so. as to permit- the abstention , ! 1 from-prolonging life in the hoppWHy diseased, these were to the naturalist the broad lines of the solution of the problems of social discontent. It was evident they lay in., the physiological coordination of ' the constituent parts of the social organism. The future will beiold the Gchoclman+pr, flip rmigistrate. Uhe lawyer, and ultimately the statesman compelled to share with the naturalist those functions which are concern-' :cd with the physiology of the race.

SCIENCE OF EDTTGATTON. i (Reo. August 21, 8.40 p.m.) »l «• s y«! ne y»" A«g«st 2i. 'At -the Science Congress, Dr. Porry delivered an address on the science of Ho said the present system of education was - soul-destroying and ftupefyinp; business. It was exasperating to find the most brilliant and most expensively educated people were quite ignorant of natural science. REFERENCES TO TTTK WAR. (Rec. August 22 0.30 a.in.) . Sydney, August 21. _ The Goverament entertained tho visiting -scientists at luncheon. Mr. Holman (Premier) presided. In welcoming the guests, ho said it was deplorable that a great, war should synchronise with the visit, but true workers for science, know no bounds of nationality. Their aims and purposes transcended national rivalries and conflicts. Professor Bateson, in replying, said with the awful carnage in Europe he hardly knew how scientific work could continue, but tho feeling of universal love for truth remained, and it must bo the chief element of regeneration by which these wounds would .eventually be healed. The world must in future look to the cumulative body of scientific and artistic truth to prevent these tragedies.

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