Lysenko
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Proper noun: - A Soviet biologist and agronomist: Trofim Denisovich Lysenko was a prominent figure in Soviet science who rejected Mendelian genetics in favor of a form of Lamarckism, arguing that acquired characteristics could be inherited. His theories were officially supported by the Soviet government under Joseph Stalin, which had a significant and detrimental impact on Soviet agriculture and biological science.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- The policies of Lysenko set back Soviet genetics for decades.
- Historians of science often study the case of Lysenko as an example of the politicization of scientific theory.
Advanced Usage
- "Lysenkoism": (noun) The doctrine or practices associated with Trofim Lysenko, especially the rejection of Mendelian genetics and the belief in the inheritance of acquired characteristics. This term is often used metaphorically to describe the suppression of scientific truth for ideological or political reasons.
- The failure of the crop yields was a direct result of Lysenkoism.
- Some critics accused the policy of being a form of modern Lysenkoism.
Variants and Related Words
- Lysenkoist (noun/adjective): A supporter of Lysenko or his theories. Also used as an adjective to describe such theories or supporters.
- The Lysenkoist approach dominated Soviet biology.
- Lysenkoite (noun): Another term for a follower of Lysenko.
Synonyms
- Pseudoscientist: (noun, contextual) While not a direct synonym, Lysenko is frequently cited as a key example of a pseudoscientist whose ideas were enforced by political authority rather than empirical evidence.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "A Lysenko-like approach": A phrase used to describe a dogmatic, ideologically-driven rejection of established scientific consensus.
- The government's dismissal of climate science data was criticized as a Lysenko-like approach.
Noun
- Soviet geneticist whose adherence to Lamarck's theory of evolution was favored by Stalin (1898-1976)