Trofim Lysenko

Date of Birth: September 29, 1898

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: November 20, 1976

Biography

Trofim Denisovich Lysenko was a Soviet agronomist and biologist who became a controversial figure due to his rejection of Mendelian genetics and promotion of a pseudoscientific approach known as Lysenkoism. Born into a peasant family, Lysenko studied agriculture and gained prominence in the Soviet Union during the 1920s and 1930s for his claims of revolutionary agricultural techniques. His theories were initially embraced by the Soviet regime, particularly under Joseph Stalin, who saw Lysenko’s ideas as more aligned with Marxist ideology compared to Western genetics. Lysenko’s influence led to widespread implementation of his agricultural methods, which were largely unsuccessful and contributed to significant food shortages. Despite this, he held significant power in Soviet scientific circles, leading to the persecution and dismissal of many geneticists who opposed his views. After Stalin’s death, Lysenko’s influence waned, and his theories were eventually discredited. He spent his later years in relative obscurity until his death in 1976.

5 Interesting Facts about Trofim Lysenko

1. Trofim Lysenko was awarded the Order of Lenin eight times for his contributions to Soviet agriculture, despite the failure of his methods.

2. Lysenko’s rejection of Mendelian genetics led to the imprisonment and execution of several prominent geneticists, including Nikolai Vavilov.

3. He claimed that vernalization, a process of treating seeds with cold temperatures, could dramatically increase crop yields, but these claims were largely proven false.

4. Lysenko’s influence extended beyond the Soviet Union, affecting agricultural policies in other Communist countries, including China during the Great Leap Forward.

5. His theories were not fully discredited in the Soviet Union until the 1960s, long after they had caused extensive agricultural and scientific damage.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Trofim Lysenko

1. “Science is not an objective reflection of reality, but a weapon in the class struggle.”

2. “There is no fortress that the Bolsheviks cannot storm.”

3. “Marxist-Leninist theory provides the only correct and scientific basis for biology.”

4. “Mendelism is a reactionary theory that serves the interests of the bourgeoisie.”

5. “We will create new plants with beneficial traits by altering their environment.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a state scientist in the Soviet Union, Lysenko’s personal net worth was not a matter of public record, and it is unlikely he accumulated significant personal wealth. His influence and power were derived from his positions and state support rather than monetary wealth.

Children

Trofim Lysenko had two children, a son named Oleg and a daughter named Irina. Both children lived relatively private lives away from the public spotlight that surrounded their father.