RECORDS ofthe GENETICS SOCIETY::OF: AMERICA Nisin Twa’ PUBLISHED’ BY. THE. SECRETARY —_ Phineas 11 Fogram. One of the most interesting papers was that by W.E, Castle, . he Coming of Mendelism.” Dr. Castle was one of the few who not ly witnessed the coming of Mendelism but at a very early stage took Ractive part in genetic research, which he has continued to the pres- Bt time, several years after his retirement from Harvard University. nother significant paper, entitled “The Heritage of Mendel,” was pre- mred by Hugo Iltis who, unfortunately, was unable to attend. His A per was read by G.H. Shull, a long-time friend, and one of the first rom this country to visit Brunn after the rediscovery of Mendel's ork. In a ceremony entitled “The New World Honors Mendel,” Manuel Elgueta, director of the Inter-American Institute of Agricul- gral Sciences, at Turrialba, Costa Rica, presented a scroll, appropri- Rely engrossed, to the Genetics Society of America. This scroll will placed in the Mendel Museum established by Dr. Iltis at Mary Ashington College in Fredericksburg, Va. A part of the museum hy lection, on loan to the Ohio State University, was on exhibition at BS, ‘time of the meeting. f The main theme of the Golden Jubilee Program was the progress Rnetics has made in its first fifty years. Five eminent European neticists, T. Caspersson, Boris Ephrussi, C.D. Darlington, Arne Muntzing, and Julian Huxley, were speakers, contributing markedly to pe. success of the meeting...All the papers given on the invitation pro- ams will be published this year by the Macmillan Company as a ook, the scope and organization of which are revealed in the following ary: istorical and Developmental Aspects of Genetics The Status of Heredity before 1900 - Conway Zirkle, University of Pennsylvania ‘The Coming of Mendelism ~ W.E. Castle, University of Califor- nia The Development of the Gene Theory - H.J, Muller, Indiana University The Relation of Genes and Chromosomes ~- A.H. Sturtevant, California Institute of Technology Mutation after Fifty Years - L.J. Stadler, University of Missouri ie Heritage of Mendel - Hugo Iltis, Mary Washington College d and New Pathways in Human Genetics ~ L.H. Snyder, University of Oklahoma e'Physical Basis of the Gene The Chemistry of Chromosomes and Nuclei - A.E. Mirsky, Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research Cytochemical Measurements in the Study of the Gene - T. Caspersson and Jack Schultz, Karolinska Institute, Stock- ‘holm Genetics and Immunology - M.R. Irwin, University of Wisconsin 12 The Physiology of the Gene Chemical Genetics - G.W. Beadle, California Institute of Tech nology : Remarks on Cell Heredity - Boris Ephrussi, University of Pa Genetic Studies in Bacteria - Joshua Lederberg, University:o Wisconsin ot The Role of the Genes in Cytoplasmic Inheritance - T.M. Sonneborn, Indiana University Evolutionary Changes in Mendelian Populations - Th. Dobzhansky, Columbia University Cytogenetics Evolution of Cytogenetic Mechanisms in Animals - M.J.D, White, University of Texas Genetics and the Chromosomes - C.D. Darlington, John Innes! Horticultural Institute ong Genetics, Medicine, and Man ot Genetics and Disease Resistance - J.W. Gowen, lowa State. Col lege Genetics and the Cancer Problem - C.C. Little, Roscoe B, Jackson Memorial Laboratory Genetics and the Food Problem Genetics and Plant Breeding - Arne Muntzing, University of Lund 1 Hybrid Corn: Its Genetic Basis and its Significance in Human Affairs - P.C. Mangelsdorf, Harvard University . Genetics and Plant Pathology - J.C. Walker, University of Wi consin 3 Genetics and Animal Breeding - J.L. Lush, Iowa State Colleg Genetics and Modern Thought - Julain Huxley, formerly Secretary General UNESCO Also as a part of the celebration the Golden Jubilee Committee secured the cooperation of the Public Affairs Committee in issuing pamphlet (No. 165) entitled, “Genetics - The Science of Heredity, "J These pamphlets were distributed with the complements of the Socks to those attending the meeting. 7 The Golden Jubilee, the largest meeting ever held by the Gene c Society, was one of the most enjoyable, partly in consequence of the excellent physical facilities assigned to the society by AIBS and the local committee, Except for the first evening gathering, all lecture — were held in the new auditorium of the State Archaeological Museu rs with a seating capacity of 600, which was expanded to about 900 by§ making use of the wide foyers. The Genetics Society is happy that.th particular auditorium was allocated to us on this important occasion and thanks are due the Ohio State Archaeological Museum, the staf fin AIBS, and the local committee for their careful planning. 19 Report of Committee 9 The report of the special committee of 9 (consisting of Committee Counteract Anti-Genetics propaganda plus the Executive Committee) is to have been presented by Bentley Glass, the Chairman of the Smmittee, Instead a telegram from the chairman read, “Delayed by Tain wreck, Will you present report of Special Committee. Thanks. Sentley Glass." The report of the committee was then presented by the Vice-President, M.R. Irwin, This report had previously been cir- ulated to all the members in a letter dated August 25, 1950. The letter was as follows: August 25, 1950 Dear Fellow Member: The Genetics Society's Special Committee of Nine, appointed in fécordance with the resolution passed at the Business Meeting of the Society in December, 1949, has considered as fully as possible the proposals for “a committee to speak for the Society in matters af- ecting the freedom of science.” Many things have transpired since e discussion last December which led to the appointment of the Com-~ nittee, and opinions may -well have changed. Certainly the fluid inter- ational situation, with its impacts of various sorts upon our science, équires us to act with foresight and to remain free to alter our pro- yam as new conditions arise, i- In the considerations of the Special Committee, three things be- ‘ame uppermost: first, the need for vigorous and outspoken defense f- scientific freedom and for refutation of all misrepresentations of lenetics is a crucial and continuing problem; second, any committee ff our Society should, in true democratic spirit, have the right and re- ponsibility to speak out for itself and make public its findings and conclusions; third, no committee ought to assume the responsibility of defending scientific freedom and combating anti-genetics propaganda in behalf of the Society except that committee be truly representative f the great majority of opinion within the Society and enjoy the utmost onfidence of the members, With these things in mind, the Special ommittee of Nine recommends as follows: A Standing Committee on Public Education and Scientific Freedom should be established by the Society, A. This Committee should have power to take action on all public matters of concern to the Society. It should have the right and responsibility to publish or to make statements for publication, but with the requirement that it speak and publish solely as a Committee of the Society and not in the name of the Society as a whole. B. The scope of the Committee should include not only freedom] of science and anti-genetics propaganda, but should extend. to the contribution of genetic knowledge to debates about |: atomic energy and atomic bombs, and the bearing of medi- cal and commercial practices, such as the use of radiation; on the genetic welfare of the people. The Committee should be left free to exercise its judgment as to the most advis= able program in the light of the current, changing wortd 4 picture, 4 C. The Committee should not only make statements of fact in; reference to debated points, but should plan and execute a long-range policy of public education in the methods, prin: ciples, and applications of genetics. 4 This might include sponsorship of a series of popular book (of the Penguin type), articles in general and popular s¢) entific magazines and the Sunday magazine sections of. 2 newspapers, radio and television programs, etc. This“ public education upon fundamentals might well become: soundest long-range activity of the Committee and the: Q designed to create that basis of knowledge and judgmen which would be the strongest defense against quacks ar communists, The Public Affairs Pamphlet “Genetics, ; ; Science of Heredity," to be distributed as a part of the Golden Jubilee of the science of Genetics at the Columb 18 meeting and prepared under the auspices of the Society! an Jubilee Committee, ispre: ecisely the type of thing me : should be as thoroughly representative of the majority 0 opinion ata , Society as possible. It is therefore recommended that it be com: . posed as follows: on A, The Chairman of the Committee shall be the President ° Genetics Society. +a B. Either the most recent past-President of the Society or the Secretary of the Society, as may be determined by vote of the Society, shall be a second member.* , 3 C. Three additional members shall be elected for terms of a three years each by mail ballot of the membership of the: Society; except that initially one member shall be elected for one year, one for two years, and one for three years,| that every year thereafter one specially elected member. __ the Committee will retire and be replaced, oe D. Nominations will be made for the election of these membe of the Committee in the customary way (one nomination fea each member .to be elected being made by the Nominating: Committee of the Society and one by the members of the ; *The Committee is not in unanimous agreement on these points, : y 21 Society through a nominating ballot); except that in order to avoid delay in initiating the Committee in 1950, these mem- bers will be nominated from the floor and elected by ballot. Two nominations should be made for each member to be elected, except for the initial year, when five should suffice. Each nominee should be asked to furnish a brief state- ment regarding his views on the work and function of the Committee so that members may be informed prior to voting. The Committee on Public Education and Scientific Freedom should, like the Committee to Aid Geneticists Abroad, be empowered to seek funds from members of the Society and other sources, so as to enable it to meet, and to prepare, publish and circulate materials in the interest of public education in genetics or dealing with issues of scientific freedom; these funds should be supplemented if necessary from the Treasury of the Society to the amount of $100,00 annually. It is suggested that the above recommendations be considered in- dividually, part by part, and only finally as a whole, inasmuch as acceptance or rejection of the whole ought not to depend upon strong reaction to some one part. Rigned: Robert C. Cook. W.R. Singleton ‘ Th. Dobzhansky L.H. Snyder M.R. Irwin -* T.M. Sonneborn HJ. Muller Curt Stern Bentley Glass, Chairman Since time was running short and since all members of the Society had received a copy of the report printed above it was thought not nec- essary to read the entire report of the committee but vote on the dif- ferent sections of the report separately. The first item voted upon was 1, A standing committee on Public Education and Scientific Freedom should be established by the Society.” ‘After but brief discussion on the motion to adopt point 1 the mo~ ion was lost 60-86 with many abstaining. Then the discussion, which should have preceded the voting began. Muller, Cook, Huskins and feveral others joined in the discussion, The concensus of the meet- ling seemed to be that a mistake had been made in rejecting point 1. §. Around 2:30 pm a motion was made by Stadler that the meeting adjourn. This being seconded was put to a vote and was rejected by a be majority, Huskins introduced a motion that “a committee should be appointed to work out statements to be approved or rejected by the E xecutive Committee and that the members of the Society stand be- hind the Executive who makes statements." This motion was seconded. The following amendment was introduced by Lederberg: “That the committee be empowered to express the Society's abhorrence to the dictation of scientific principles by the Soviet Union,” This amendment was seconded and passed, 22 However, when it seerned to be the wishes of the members that ‘ the action on point 1 be reconsidered the motion under consideration was withdrawn, by Huskins, Lederberg and the ones seconding the amendment and motion, Then Luria made a motion that point 1 be reconsidered, This was seconded and carried. Voting then proceeded on the different points of the report of the special committee. Items A, B and C under point 1 were not voted upon at the meeting. Under point 2, Item A was amended to read “The president shall be a member of the committee which shall elect its own chairman." This was then approved by the Society. . Point 2B was approved by the Society with the proviso that the” Secretary of the Society shall be a member of the committee, , Point 2C was approved as printed above, Point 2D was approved with a minor change in the procedure for election of the committee the first year. The change in the last sen-. tence of the first paragraph is as follows: “These members will be nominated from the floor at the annual meeting of the Society and elected by mail ballot.” Point 3 was approved as printed. Following the approval of the individual items a motion was made that the entire proposal be ap-~ proved. Seconded and carried. The nominations from the floor, in order nominated were Sturtevant, Muller, Lederberg, Cook, Glass, Luria, Stadler, Huskins and Plough. The next item of business was action upon a recommendation of the Executive Committee that the Society furnish 1350 copies of the abstracts for publishing in Genetics. This action was approved, For the meeting place in 1951 the secretary reported that the - Executive Committee had recommended that we meet again with A.LB.S., the 1951 meeting to be held in early September at the Univ- ersity of Minnesota in Minneapolis, This action was approved. M.J.D. White then made a motion that the Society extend a vote | of thanks to the local representatives of the Columbus meetings, Dr. David C. Rife and R.G, Jaap. , Motion seconded and carried by acclamation, Meeting adjourned at 3:15 pm,