Article Abstract:
Ching Chun Li, known as 'C.C.' to most, is honored not only as a creative scholar in human genetics and biostatistics, but also as an outstanding educator in the field. His 1948 book, 'An Introduction to Population Genetics,' published in China, was the first lucid exposition of works of several master geneticists. In time, despite his courage in defending his science, Li had to resign his post in China. The science of genetics was considered inimical to the state. In 1950 Li and his family arrived in the US and he set up a research program, published, and taught at the Univerisity of Pittsburgh. His most important contribution was perhaps in the mathematics of identity by descent and state between any two relatives. In 1970 he published a brilliant explanation of multifactorial inheritance dealing with nature/nurture and population differences in IQ scores. The work is of enduring relevance.
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Article Abstract:
Efforts to put in place programs to restrict reproductive freedom because of some genetic information are neither ethically nor scientifically acceptable. They should be challenged. In some cases the risk of giving birth to an infant with a given disorder can be evaluated. In most pregnancies health and other capacities of a child not yet born cannot be predicted. To try to do so is to devalue human life. Historical information on various nations with eugenic movements of one kind or another is given.
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Article Abstract:
Natural science has enemies and its defense is important. Political ideology, such as dialectical materialism, may be at odds with natural science. If science has an ideology, it should be its autonomy, but autonomy is an essential property of science. Science education must be taken regularly like a food, to protect from enemies to the health of science. It may be that natural science is the enemy of ideology, instead of the other way around.
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