Eugenics Record Office. BULLETIN No. 10A - DNA Patent Database ...

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EUGENICS RECORD OFFICE, BULLETIN NO. 10 A.
(9) Neo-Malthusianism, or the purposeful limitation of the num-
ber of offspring, is a problem for the constructive side of the eugenics
program to cope with, rather than an important factor for society to
consider in its efforts to cut off the supply of defectives, for defectives
of the lower types do not greatly limit sex indulgence by the fear of
having children, nor do they resort to artificial means to prevent con-
ception. Hence this remedy does not apply to them. Above this class
there is doubtless another class of potential parents of all grades of
mentality, and of all grades of social and financial standing who resort
to artificial means to prevent conception. With such classes selfishness
is a ruling motive, but doubtless in many such cases the determining
factors are traceable to current social influences, and as such should
be combatted. In a letter dated January 14, 1913, to this committee,
Theodore Roosevelt says:
As you say, it is obvious that if in the future racial qualities are to be
improved, the improving must be wrought mainly by favoring the fecundity of
the worthy type and frowning on the fecundity of the unworthy types. At
present we do just the reverse. There is no check to fecundity of those who
are subnormal, both intellectually and morally, while the provident and thrifty
tend to develop a cold selfishness, which makes them refuse to breed at all.
It is not an impossible conception to think of a future social
status wherein selection for parenthood will be not held a natural
right of every individual; but will be a prize highly sought by and
allotted to only the best individuals of proven blood, and those individuals
who are not deemed worthy and are by society denied the
right to perpetuate their own traits in subsequent generations, will
be held in pity by their fellows. In pointing out the possible ways
of accomplishing it, and in perfecting the practical methods for its
execution, the achievement of this ideal is, to speak briefly, the task
of the eugenics program for the long indefinite future.
The choice between large and small families for provident parents
of good innate traits will be made instantly in favor of large
families by all eugenists, just as the same eugenists will insist that
defective parents must be estopped from having any children at all.
The committee feels constrained to condemn in no uncertain terms
the purposeful limiting of offspring of parents of worthy hereditary
qualities.
(10) Laissez-faire.
It is held in many quarters that a rational
eugenics program is impossible, or, at best, that eugenic efforts are
unnecessary, for, during the ages mankind appears to have improved
and advanced without such a program. In reply, let it be said that