No One Saw It Coming The Nazi siege and the secret seeds
Jun 23, 2025
In this engaging conversation, award-winning writer and games critic Simon Parkin delves into the harrowing story of Russian botanist Nikolai Vavilov. During the WWII siege of Leningrad, Vavilov and his team faced the horror of starvation while safeguarding a vital seed bank. They chose to preserve seeds for future generations over their immediate survival, leading to profound ethical dilemmas. Parkin highlights their sacrifice, which ultimately saved countless plant species and reshaped agriculture, leaving an enduring legacy in the fight against hunger.
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Seed Bank's Mission to End Hunger
- Vavilov's seed bank aimed to end hunger by collecting global seed varieties.
- He believed wild varieties held genetic traits to improve crops' resilience and yield.
Lysenko's Rise and Vavilov's Fall
- Lysenko's theories opposed Vavilov's, claiming acquired traits passed to offspring.
- Stalin endorsed Lysenko, undermining Vavilov's career and Soviet science.
Vavilov's Arrest and Imprisonment
- Vavilov was arrested by NKVD under false accusation of British spying.
- He endured long interrogations and was sentenced to death, disappearing into Soviet prison.
