… In the current “Nineteenth Century,” for example. Mrs. Hume Pinsent, a member of the Royal Commission on the care of the feeble-minded, gives several instances that will cause the thoughtful reader to shudder. Starting, usually from a feeble-minded mother, the tainted inheritance is traced through a dismal catalogue of children and grandchildren, almost every one of whom becomes in one way or another a burden upon the community, as pauper criminal or lunatic. Is it right, medical observers ask, that these degenerates should be free to perpetuate their species, while the very need of supporting them makes it harder and harder for the industrious to bring up a family? Alarming as such records as Mrs. Pinsent quotes must appear when taken by themselves, there is possibly an exaggeration in the view taken of their evil influence on the race generally. Degeneration is a stage on the downward road to extinction. Nature has passed a decree, and there is no appeal. Some students of eugenics, however, are too impatient to wait for the natural extinction. They claim for the State the right to decide that certain types shall not survive, or at least shall not perpetuate themselves. … (continues) …
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949