Lysenkoism and Global Warming

Abstract

A classic instance of the baleful effect of political interference in science is provided by the Lysenko Affair. There are, unfortunately, close parallels between that example and the modern politics of Global Warming. Significantly, Trofim Lysenko introduced his ideas first through politics. Some think his ideas had Marxist backing because biology could be then modified in the way that Soviet communists wanted – in order to control people's behaviour. Furthermore, Lysenko demonised conventional genetics, which again suited his masters - who believed this to be the basis behind Fascist eugenics.