The Washington herald., 1907-09-08
Hereditv and the Race Problem.

In the September issue of Uncle Remus'
Magazine NJ A Lane makes an attempt
to apply to the race problem certain
sociological infeTences from the contin-
uous germ -plasm theory Of August Weis-
mann, the German biologist, who has con-
tributed to the world of science a series
Of singularly acute and profound studies
OF the intricate questions OF heredity. The
processes Of evolution can only be cx-
planned by the facts Of heredity, but these
are as yet imperfectly known. and even
hotly disputed. Prof. Weismann's theory
OF heredity is opposed 10 the commonly
accepted belief that the characteristics
acquired by an individual during his life
time are transmitted 10 his descendants.
AS stated by Mr.. Lane, the Weismann
theory is that while mans body Is not
immortal, a part Of it Is. and this part.
which the German savant calls the germ
plssm, is handed down immortal and
continuous. from generation to genera
tion, unbroken and unchanged-except in
certain circumstances-by the adventures
of the body itself in the surroundings, or
EAlNltOi4lAEitr III hll4AlA II lives
Now. what are the sociological implica-
tions OF this theory Of heredity, as inter
preted by Mr. Lane? They are that race
characteristics are fixed and unchange-
able and that. therefore, philanthropic,
educational, and other efforts directed to-
ward racial Improvement and advance
ment are futile being contrary to na-
tures mode of evolution. The racial
germ-plasm, says Mr.. Lane. is of differ
ing degrees of complexity, and If the
nature Of the germ-plasm determines
what the individual is to be, we can read
ily see that the chances are infnity to
one that the Jap or the negro will ever
develop into an individual like the white
man." To develop a brain like that of
the white man the negro must develop the
white mans germ-plasm. The white man,
Mr. Lane tells US. has worked up his
germ-plasm from one not unlike that of
existing savages, but he thinks the
chances that the negro. the japanese, or
the Malay will develop Ike germ-plasm
are as one to ininity. The generic diff
ferenees IN the racial germ-plasm, in
other words, condemns these races 10
permanent and insurmountable inferiority
TO the white race That they may be
taught 10 initiate some of the things the
white man does Mr.. Lane comedies, but
that they can develop spontaneously a
civilization as strong and complex as that
Of Europe he deems an improbable and
unprovable assumption.
Mr.. Lane is of opinion that an
understanding of the main facts OF or
ganic evolution will largely modify the
trend of reform movements, many of
which he regards as fatuous. He par
ticularly dwells on the uselessness of
attempts 70 reform confirmed criminals,
wh9 are in reality savsges, and so in
capable, on his theory, Of moral or intel
iectual improvement Social repugnance
10 marriage with individuals having we'll
defined criminal characteristics would. in
a few generations, make criminal codes
and prisons unnecessary. So. too, avoid
ance Of marriage with persons having
transmissible diseases would. in time. cut
down The total quantity OF disease Elm
mate the germ-plasm which carries to
posterity criminal tendencies, or trans
mits disease, by letting it die. is Mr..
Lanes formula for social regeneration.
But TO attempt the civilization Of the