HISTORY This Week Stalin’s War on Genetics
Oct 6, 2025
William deJong-Lambert, a historian of science and author, delves into the troubling tale of Trofim Lysenko, who convinced Stalin that ideology trumped genetics. Discover how Lysenko's rise to power led to the purging of dissenting scientists like Nikolai Vavilov. The discussion explores Lysenko's bizarre agricultural theories, his manipulation of politics and media, and the dire consequences for Soviet science. Ultimately, deJong-Lambert highlights the political interference that caused a significant setback in genetic research during a crucial era.
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Two Contrasting Scientists
- Nikolai Vavilov traveled the world collecting seed varieties to solve Russian famines through breeding.
- Trofim Lysenko, a junior agronomist, rose by contrast as a self-taught
When Politics Replaced Peer Review
- Lysenko pivoted from science to politics after being discredited by experts at a 1929 conference.
- He exploited Stalin's preference for proletarian
Stalin's Endorsement As Scientific Power
- Stalin's public endorsement made Lysenko effectively untouchable and discredited rivals like Vavilov.
- That single moment redirected Soviet agricultural policy away from
