Nature of the Problem and Reasons for the Investigation In recent years society has been aroused to the fact that the number of individuals within its defective classes has rapidly increased both absolutely and in proportion to the entire population; that eleemosynary[sic] expenditure is rapidly increasing; that some normal strains are becoming contaminated with anti-social and defective traits; and that the shame, the moral retardation, and the economic handicap of the presence of such individuals are more keenly felt than ever. Along with penal, hospital, and eleemosynary care a remedy looking toward the cutting off of the supply of defectives is being sought on every hand. Among other remedies the sterilization of degenerates is proposed. Some seven states, viz., Indiana (1907), California, Washington, and Connecticut (1909), New Jersey, Iowa, and Nevada (1911) have already enacted some sort of sterilization laws. In Oregon in 1909 a sterilization bill was passed by the legislature, but was vetoed by the Governor, and in the legislatures of a score or more [states?] bills have been introduced permitting or making mandatory the operation. This proposed scheme for race improvement thus comes within the range of practical legislation, and the need of a thorough and judicial investigation becomes exigent. With a view of determining the Eugenic possibilities and limitations of sterilization, the Eugenics Section of the American Breeders Association has appointed a committee commissioned to investigate the problem connected with the proposed sterilization of certain defectives and degenerates. It is the purpose of this committee to provide for a thorough, first hand, and expert investigation into the medical, surgical, biological, social, legal, eugenic, and ethical aspects of the problem. It is hoped to secure enough authentic data to justify generalization in answering some of the more specific questions that arise. It is the further purpose of the committee to make its work a scientific investigation and not a propaganda. It will, therefore, strive to maintain a non partican[sic] attitude, to collect as much pertinent authentic data as possible, to record first hand observations, to hear expert testimony from men of science, and leaders of thought and public opinion, to weigh the arguments of advocates and opponents, and to present to the public as accurate and unbiased report.