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THE SWEDISH STATEH N STITUTE FOR
RACE.BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
AN ACCOUNT OF ITS ORIG1NATION
BY
Doctov HJALMAR ANDERSON
BERGVIK
ON THE 13th OF MAY 1921, THE SWEDISH PARLIAMENT RES*
olved (almost unanimously) to grant a sum for the establishment of a
Race*biological Institute. And, as the foundation is thus laid for the
first State Institution in the world of this kind, a short survey of the origination
of the Institute is not out of place.
Eugenic ideas and efforts are no novelty in our time. Both in Swedish leg*
islation, and that of other countries, are found, from ancient times, inconsiderable
tendencies in the direction of eugenics. We find that sociologists and statesmen
of different periods and nationality, have had race*hygienic ideas, at least sporad*
ically, and we meet with them also in philosophical and medical works (e. g. in
Plato’s Politeia).
The rise of the doctrines of development during the latter half of the 19th
century, naturally nurtured the idea to influence the biological development of our
race. More than anything else, the revival of Mendel’s Laws, about the end of
the 19th century, increased the interest for race*biological and eugenic questions.
It was first through this revival, that race*biology began to stand on firm ground.
During the last decennaries, the »Temperance Movement» in our own, as
well as in other countries, has without doubt, also tended to spread eugenic ideas,
through its strong emphasis of our responsibility towards coming generations.
Finally, in recent times, the late great War, with all its horrors, and pitiable con*
sequences, has caused many to put their hope in race*biology and eugenics, as
the possible saviours of suffering Europé.
Doctor Herman Lundborg was the first, who, in our country, advanced these
ideas, and their great significance, forcibly and energetically, and he, through his
pioneering scientific labours, and energetic enlightenment, has succeeded in gaining
respect for race*biology in this country. In 1904 he gave a leeture to the Upp*
sala Physicians’ Society on this matter, and amongst his remarks were the foliowing:
»A people who, in good time learn to appreciate the importance of heredity*
hygiene, and fulfil its demands, can look into the future with equanimity. A race
which continuously degenerates, cannot in the end survive the struggle for exis*
tence, however welbarmed they appear to be in a military sense.
We should remember that powder and shot do not protect us from tuber*
culosis, aleoholism, nerve* and brain disorders, and other enemies of the commu*
nity at large. It would be mueh better if civilized countries, instead of directing
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