T.D. LysenkoÕs 1948 Report to the Lenin Academy of Agricultural Sciences is the most controversial scientific document of the Stalin period. In it, he espouses his basic ideas regarding the validity, or lack thereof, of traditional genetics as outlined by Mendel, Morgan and Weismann. Regarding these theories as metaphysical and distortions of DarwinÕs theory of evolution, he explains that inherited characteristics are not due to immutable and random genes passed down exclusively through chromosomes, as the Mendelist-Morganists would suggest, but rather include the progenitorÕs acquired characteristics throughout the entire soma. This outlook, suggested by Lysenko to be a new biology which was discovered because of the enhanced scientific potential of the socialist system, constitutes the Soviet Michurinist trend, based on the thinking of the botanist I.V. Michurin whose experiments proved acquired characteristics can be inherited and whose motto was: ÒWe must not wait for favours from nature; our task is to wrest them from her.Ó
Regardless of oneÕs position on LysenkoÕs entire thinking, today's capitalist science has, to some extent, proven his thesis on inheritance correct against the former dogmatic view of genes. This document is being republished by NEPH to aid in the re-evaluation of a character who, in our view, despite his errors has been slandered with the most malicious libels and falsehoods as part of the all-round venomous campaign of hate against J.V. Stalin.