HISTORY This Week: Stalin’s War on Genetics
October 6, 2025 | The History Channel Original Podcast
Host: John Earl
Featured Experts:
- Dr. Nikolai Krementsov (University of Toronto, author of Stalinist Science)
- Dr. William DeJong-Lambert (Bronx Community College, CUNY, author of The Lysenko Affair)
Episode Overview
This episode explores the astonishing rise and catastrophic influence of Trofim Lysenko, an unorthodox agricultural scientist who, under Stalin's favor, transformed Soviet biology by replacing evidence-based genetics with pseudoscience. The episode chronicles the personal and political rivalries, the intertwining of ideology and science, the devastating purges of Soviet intellectuals, and the far-reaching legacy of "Lysenkoism." Through historical storytelling and expert interviews, listeners learn how state power and personal ambition can distort scientific truth—with fatal consequences.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Scene: The 1955 Scientist Rebellion (01:07–04:25)
- Nearly 300 Soviet scientists secretly plea for the removal of Trofim Lysenko, accusing him of holding back Soviet science with his unscientific views.
- Khrushchev, the new leader and a fellow farm boy, rebuffs the letter: "Don't touch my Lysenko, or heads will roll."
- The failed petition is a small crack in Lysenko's towering influence.
Quote:
- "Lysenko—this powerful scientist—keeps his job for now. But even though the letter-writing scientists have failed, the episode is a glimmer of hope." (01:42)
2. The Seeds of Science: Nikolai Vavilov's Quest (04:25–06:41)
- Nikolai Vavilov, world-renowned botanist, leads global expeditions to collect seeds that could solve Russia's famine problem.
- His vision: breed crops resilient to Soviet climates using modern genetics.
Expert Insight:
- Dr. Krementsov: "Almost half of the territory covers the so-called zone of uncertainty in agriculture... There is simply not enough water." (04:25)
3. Enter Trofim Lysenko: From Farm Boy to Scientific Power (06:42–10:06)
- Highlights the dramatic contrast between Vavilov (cosmopolitan intellectual) and Lysenko (self-taught Ukrainian peasant).
- Lysenko proposes "vernalization"—artificially exposing seeds to cold to improve yields—winning media adoration despite scientific skepticism.
Quote:
- "Lysenko starts gaining a reputation in the popular media as an agricultural wizard. They call him the Barefoot Professor." (09:38)
4. Rise of Pseudoscience: Lysenko’s Tactics (12:02–16:29)
- Lysenko leverages the political mood: Stalin wants to replace the old elite with "barefoot professors" from humble backgrounds.
- Abandons scientific rigor in favor of publicity and politics.
- Begins blaming failures on enemies and sabotage.
Lysenko’s Playbook (13:15–16:29):
- Become a Pundit: Publishes in non-peer-reviewed journals; floods the media.
- Promise Quick Fixes: Claims to solve agricultural crises overnight.
- Shift the Blame: When failures mount, accuses critics and "enemies of the people."
5. The Political Ascendancy: Stalin’s Endorsement & The Great Terror (17:37–21:43)
- Stalin’s personal endorsement at the 1935 Kremlin conference crowns Lysenko.
- Vavilov and dissenting scientists face dismissal, arrest, or worse.
- The purges (1937–38): Intellectuals branded saboteurs, millions arrested/executed.
Chilling Moment:
- "On August 6, 1940, the secret police come for Vavilov... Stalin’s agents bundle him into the back of a car and drive away." (20:38)
6. The Official Ban on Genetics (24:43–28:29)
- Lysenko maintains power through Stalin’s unwavering support, even amid agricultural failures.
- 1948: At a historic Agricultural Academy conference, Lysenko proclaims genetics "pseudobiology."
- The Communist Party decrees Lysenkoism official policy—genetics is outlawed.
Notable Quote:
- "The Central Committee has examined my report and approved it. And that's like the... ten words that shook the world right there." (27:49)
7. Consequences: Intellectual Purges & Pseudoscientific Dogma (28:29–32:00)
- Sweeping firings and curriculum purges at every academic level.
- Students taught a propaganda-laden, anti-genetics version of biology.
- Brightest minds' careers are destroyed; Soviet science lags behind as DNA’s structure is revealed in the West.
Expert Lament:
- "Think of the thousands, tens of thousands of students... who would have been studying contemporary biological science, who just don't, because it doesn't exist." (32:00)
8. The Long Shadow: Lysenko’s Fall and Legacy (33:00–39:48)
- Stalin's death (1953) opens a "thaw" with Khrushchev; attempts to oust Lysenko intensify.
- Khrushchev’s continued support undermines his own leadership, leading to his downfall.
- Lysenko is finally ousted (1965–71); ostracized, yet unrepentant.
Memorable Encounter:
- Historian Loren Graham finds the disgraced Lysenko alone:
- “You think that I am a part of the Soviet oppressive system, but I have always been an outsider... I had to fight to be recognized, and once again, I am now an outsider. Why do you think I was sitting alone?” (38:20–39:28)
9. Final Reflections: Science, Power, and Politics (39:48–40:04)
- The legacy of Lysenkoism highlights the danger of entangling science with ideology.
- Science’s power makes it important—and vulnerable.
Closing Note:
- "It's easier than you think to convince an entire country that life can come from some egg yolk and a bit of straw." (40:04)
Notable Quotes & Moments
- "The yield—the amount of bread available to feed the Russian people..." — Dr. Krementsov (05:45)
- "Ravlov is the one who in many ways is most responsible for promoting Lysenko and really helping him." — Dr. DeJong-Lambert (10:29)
- "He was kind of dry, ascetic, not... very friendly." — Dr. Krementsov, describing Lysenko (07:02)
- "Plants teaching other plants to grow—it doesn't totally work, which could, of course, be a problem." — Host (16:10)
- “All just these big propaganda, sloganeering kind of things... they're not learning about chromosomes and genes... that's what biology is.” — Dr. DeJong-Lambert (31:30)
Key Timestamps For Important Segments
- 01:07 — Introduction to 1955 letter against Lysenko
- 04:25 — Vavilov’s seed expeditions and genetics
- 06:42 — Lysenko’s background and early ideas
- 12:02 — Stalin’s purge of old scientific elite
- 17:37 — Stalin’s endorsement of Lysenko
- 20:38 — Vavilov’s arrest and fate
- 24:43 — Lysenko’s power independent of scientific success
- 26:14 — 1948 "show trial" of genetics
- 28:29 — Purge of geneticists, curriculum rewritten
- 31:51 — The tragedy for Soviet biological science
- 36:20 — Khrushchev’s downfall linked to Lysenkoism
- 37:11 — Lysenko finally ousted, legacy discussed
- 38:07–39:28 — Loren Graham’s encounter with Lysenko
- 39:48 — Reflections on science, truth, and power
Tone
The episode’s tone is narrative and investigative—blending historical drama with sober analysis. The host maintains a sense of urgency and incredulity, with moments of irony and poignancy, especially regarding the personal tragedies suffered in service of politics over truth.
Conclusion
"Stalin’s War on Genetics" serves as a chilling cautionary tale: how state power, ideology, and personal ambition can subvert scientific truth, resulting in wasted opportunities, ruined lives, and lasting damage—not only to science, but to society itself. The legacy of Lysenkoism is a reminder that science is both a powerful tool and a fragile pursuit, ever vulnerable to the influence of those who wield power.