In the early 20th century, a Soviet agronomist by the name of Trophim Lysenko developed some unique theories of biology and genetics.

He rose to the top of the Soviet hierarchy in his field, and Stalin himself endorsed his theories.

And the result of the implementation of his ideas... and Stalin himself endorsed his theories.

And the result of the implementation of his ideas

was nothing short of disastrous.

Learn more about Trophim Lysenko and Lysenko

on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Book your ticket to happiness with Sun Express Airlines. I'm going to go and The Soviet Union did excel in several areas of science and technology. They put the first satellite in orbit and the first human into space.

They had very good mathematicians, theoretical physicists, chess players, and while not science

related, some of the greatest ballet dancers in the world. However, there were some areas in

science and technology where they fell flat, and one area in particular where

they were downright backward. This backwardness had devastating consequences for the Soviet people.

The key player in this story is Trophim Lysenko.

Trophim Denisovitch Lysenko was born in 1898 in what was then the Russian Empire

and what is today the city of

Carlifka Ukraine. He studied at the Kyiv Agricultural Institute where he took an

interest in agronomy. Lecenko grew up poor. He didn't actually learn how to read until he was 13, and he often dressed like a peasant when he attended university.

When the Communist Revolution came around, he was totally on board.

His poor background and his manner of dress made him very popular in

communist circles. He was dubbed the barefoot scientist. In fact he was so on

board with communism his political views began to influence his scientific research.

His early research focused on trying to grow peas in colder climates,

which would have been a pretty handy thing to be able to do in Russia.

...