The Cold War Politics of Genetic Research: An Introduction to the Lysenko Affair (Archimedes, 32)

This book uses the reaction of a number of biologists in the United States and Great Britain to provide an overview of one of the most important controversies in Twentieth Century biology, the "Lysenko Affair." The book is written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students of history/history of science. It covers a number of topics which are relevant to understanding the sources and dimensions of the Lysenko controversy, including the interwar eugenics movement, the Scopes Trial, the popularity of Lamarckism as a theory of heredity prior to the synthesis of genetics and Natural Selection, and the Cold War. The book focuses particularly on portrayals--both positive and negative--of Lysenko in the popular press in the U.S. and Europe, and thus by extension the relationship between scientists and society. Because the Lysenko controversy attracted a high level of interest among the lay community, it constitutes a useful historical example to consider in context with current topics that have received a similar level of attention, such as Intelligent Design or Climate Change Mendelist-morganists And Michurinism -- Between World War And Cold War -- Reacting To Lysenko -- Acquired Characteristics -- The Spitzer Affair -- Pigs Wearing Booties Earn Scorn Of Red Press -- Epilogue : Nikita And I Have Our Difficulties... William Dejong-lambert. Piece Incorrectly Numbered As V. 24. Corrected Series Numbering Provided By Publisher's Website. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xxii Mendelist-Morganists and Michurinism....Pages 1-27 Between World War and Cold War....Pages 29-56 Reacting to Lysenko....Pages 57-83 Acquired Characteristics....Pages 85-109 The “Spitzer Affair”....Pages 111-140 Pigs Wearing Booties Earn Scorn of Red Press....Pages 141-172 Back Matter....Pages 173-185 Annotation This volume examines the Lysenko controversy. It covers the interwar eugenics movement, the Scopes Trial, the popularity of Lamarckism as a theory of heredity prior to the synthesis of genetics and natural selection, and the Cold War