Lysenko and Stalin s Genetics
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Lysenko and Stalin's Genetics
Overview
Trofim Denisovich Lysenko (1898-1976) was a pivotal figure in Soviet agriculture during the regimes of Lenin and Stalin. He championed the work of Ivan Vladimirovich Michurin (1855-1935), promoting a version of Lamarckism, an older evolutionary theory initially proposed by French scientist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829). This theory suggested that organisms could pass on traits acquired during their lifetime to their offspring.
Lysenko’s Influence
Lysenko's rise to power saw him become the president of the Lenin All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences (1938-1956) and the director of the Institute of Genetics at the USSR Academy of Sciences (1940-1965). He confidently promised the Soviet leadership significant increases in crop yields, appealing to their desire for an indigenous theory to counter the "capitalistic" genetics of Mendel and Darwin.
Lamarckism vs. Mendelian Genetics
Lamarckism posited that traits developed through use, like the elongated necks of giraffes from reaching high leaves, could be inherited. However, the Soviet regime, seeking to differentiate itself from Western science, endorsed Lysenko's rejection of Mendelian genetics.
The Suppression of Genetic Science
In a 1948 speech, Lysenko denounced Mendelian genetics as "reactionary and decadent," gaining immense influence. Opponents were often sent to labor camps as "enemies of the Soviet people." Most geneticists recanted their beliefs to retain their positions, facing severe consequences otherwise.
Enduring Controversy
Lysenko’s claims, such as wheat producing rye seeds, went unchallenged until 1964, well after Stalin's death. Despite the lack of scientific validity, he and his followers retained their academic stature, influencing Soviet biology for years. As noted by the Encyclopedia Britannica, they continued to support their flawed theories unhindered.
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