Human Genetics and Its Social Import

elusions, whether or not they finally prove to be right, on matters upon which opinions are now divided.We face many problems of social biology that urgently call for solution.What shall be done with the hereditarily defective classes?How shall we control immigration in the best interest of future generations ?In what ways can we hope to overcome the evils of the differential birth rate ?These and many other questions bring us face to face with issues upon which we find people stoutly maintaining opposed views.We cannot answer any of these questions without some knowledge of genetics.They are social problems, but they can be solved only by a study of biological facts.It is desirable that readers of the present volume should have some acquaintance with the fundamentals of general biology, although very little technical knowledge is presupposed.Students should have access to some of the general treatises on genetics and they should be able to consult the more recent standard works dealing with problems of popu- lation.A few suggested readings in connection with the topics of the several chapters have been indicated, and a series of questions at the end of each chapter has been appended in the hope that they may prove helpful in giving the student who attempts to answer them a more adequate comprehen- sion of the subjects treated.