Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-12-26

NAOA " NAAOoC CAAbA lotCu Will
the task Of planning for the
future of mankind"
He suggests that we start
rewarding and stop Furnishing
the superior. And that we take
steps to avert q standing
room only" population on the
earth.
Widely Acclaimed
Professor Mayr has been q
key contributor to modern evo-
lutionary theory during the
last 80 years. period during
which biologists have learned
more about how animal species
evolve than in any other
period since Darwin's time.
His views are embodied In
a monumental report On new
developments in evolutionary
theory, Animal Species and
Evolution" which is acclaimed
by such biologists as Sir Julian
Huxley. George Gaylord Simp-
son and Professor Thedosius
Dobzhansky Of Columbia Uni
versity. Professor Dobzhansky
calls DR.. Mayr's report-iSsued
several months ago-"a land
mark in the biology Of our age"
The Harvard scientist says
the increase in human brain
size-a characteristic that sets
man apart from all other ami
mals-Stopped nearly 100000
years ago.
Declaring "one cannot avoid
feeling that man could still
go q long way on the road TO-
ward Improvement" he adds,
nevertheless, there is no evil
dence Of any biological i'm
provement in at least the last
10000 years"
What Happened?
He voices agreement with Sir
Julian Huxley that most likely |
mans genetic nature has de-
generated and is still doing So"
How did all these things hap
pen to us? Professor Mayr
takes us back to mans ances-
tors 20 million years ago,
learning to walk upright, free
ing their forelimbs to make
and use tools. but most aston
ishing Of all-their three-to-
fourfold increase in size Of
brain.
The need to communicate
to speak - speeded up brain
growth. Those who could think
best, survived and passed on
intelligence to their children.
And the children of the bright
est parents, since they received
better parental care, likewise
survived.
!, What put the breaks on brain
/ growth? Professor Mayr sug-
} gests that when men Joined TO-
gether in bigger groups. the
average and below-average in
dividuals became more pro-
tected. Ultimately. he says, the
below-average individual III
not too far below average)
could survive and reproduce
just as successfully as the
above-average individuals.
But now, Professor Mayr says,
those who are intellectually
best endowed contribute less
to the gene dnheritance) pool
Of the next generation than do
the average and, indeed, most
Of the less than-average," al
though the high 10 group may
be above average in physical
health.
Offers Ideas
What is the answer? Prof.
Mayr suggests that we encour-
age the superior.
In our present society,"" he
writes, "the superior person 10
punished by the government in
numerous ways, by taxes and
otherwise, which makes it more
difficult for him to raise a large
family. Why, for instance,
should tax exemption for
children be a fixed sum rather
than a percentage Of earned
income?
why should tuition in
school be based, in large part,
on the ability Of the father to
pay rather than inversely on
the achievement of the stu
dent? Innumerable ad-
ministrative rules and laws . :.
discriminate inadvertently
against the most gifted mem
bers Of the community.
Il firmly believe that such