The Lysenko Affair Cover
Podcast Mentions

The Lysenko Affair

David Joravsky

The Lysenko affair was perhaps the most bizarre chapter in the history of modern science. For thirty years, until 1965, Soviet genetics was dominated by a fanatical agronomist who achieved dictatorial power over genetics and plant science as well as agronomy.

Podcasts 1
Quotes 5
Behind the Bastards

It was referenced during the discussion of Lysenko's defense against accusations of fraud. The book highlighted Lysenko's insistence on results over methodology and his reliance on the political backing of the Communist Party.

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He had never troubled himself to be precise and he insisted that precise data were not essential.

— Episode: Part Two: The Russian Scientist Who Help...

Episode: Part Two: The Russian Scientist Who Helped Kill 30...

It was referenced during the discussion of Lysenko's defense against accusations of fraud. The book highlighted Lysenko's insistence on results over methodology and his reliance on the political backing of the Communist Party.

"

He had never troubled himself to be precise and he insisted that precise data were not essential.

Shrilly he called attention to biological theory to the progressive biological theory that had been developed quote in unity with the practice of collective and state farms and that had always enjoyed the support of the party in state.

Basically he whined that his theories were correct with communism and the party had always supported him So why were they suddenly being so mean and asking for proof?

The specialist stuck to their narrow task with devastating effect for Lushenko and his colleagues were simply incapable of sustained reasoning with facts and figures.

Their favorite device as the chairman of the investigative commission put it was to quote to say a single thing and hush up all the rest as long as everything looks good.

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