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although naturally, Lundborg has, for a long time, been specially worthy of this
distinction. Parliament has indeed demanded an explication of the need of a Race*
biological Institute, and such an investigation would seem to be quite unneces*
sary, if the thing at the commencement, could have been so much simplified, as
only to be a matter of appointing a worthy scientist to a professorship. But here
it is quite another question.
Fully awake to the significance for our people of heredity researches, now, and
in the future, it is the intention to guarantee the existence of the science, and not
of any single scientist. And what makes a really permanent Institute of research
necessary are the difficulties which are met with in the investigations to be made.
It is not sufficient that single investigators attempt to ascertain historically, the
conditions of health and disease of previous generations; it is necessary to form a
continuity in this work, by organizing an Institute whose methods of research, and
the results thereof, make it possible for one generation of physicians after the other,
to continue, and complete the researches of the foregoing generation; the material to
be investigated is the continuous series of human beings followed from generation
to generation. It goes without saying that such a task cannot be ensured by con*
ferring a professorship on one person, who cannot depend upon a successor fol*
lowing up his work. To suggest the establishment of a personal professorship is
certainly an act of respect to the scientist in question, but is at the same time, a
depreciation of the significance of the whole question.» —
Several of to*day’s most prominent investigators abroad, who have had the
opportunity of expressing their opinion, have unanimously stated that an institute
is of great importance, and that a professorship is insufficient. The names of
these scientists are as follows: Professors W. Johanssen of Copenhagen, E. Baur
of Berlin, M. v. Gruber of Miinchen, the anthropologist the late R. Pöch of
Vienna, W. Bateson of London, A. Thomson of Aberdeen, and C. B. Davenport
of New York.
In January 1920 a motion for a petition to the King was submitted by the
Swedish Parliament by very prominent members of all parties, amongst others, the
former Prime Ministers Hj. Branting, and A. Lindman, the Vice Speaker in the
Second Chamber Count Raoul Hamilton, Professors K. Kjellberg and N. Wohlin,
the Councillor of Education Doctor W. Björck, and the Head*inspector of the
Hospitals for Mental Diseases Doctor A. Petrén, containing a request regarding
an explication and suggestions in reference to the founding of a Swedish Race*
biological Institute. The motion was unanimously carried in both Chambers.
Below are extracts from the same:
»Race*biological investigation, which works to attain a high and noble object:
protection against genealogical degeneration, and the furtherance of good racial
attributes, grows daily stronger and stronger. The motion is based upon the stand*
point that there is nothing so precious in a country as the racial material itself,
especially if this, as is the case with the Swedes from ancient times, is of good
quality. The task this scientific investigation has to contend with, is to explicate
and elucidate all conditions regarding heredity and environment which cause an
elevation, or debasement of the inherent worth of a race. Then, firm bases and
guidance can be given to a State in its endeavouring to enhance the development
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