Lysenko's ghost : epigenetics and Russia / Loren Graham.

  • Graham, Loren R.
Date:
2016
  • Books

About this work

Description

"Epigenetics, a new field in biology, has shown that in some instances organisms can inherit characteristics acquired by their ancestors during their lifetimes, a view that was discredited during most of the twentieth century. Trofim Lysenko, a Russian agronomist long considered a charlatan, was a strong advocate of the inheritance of acquired characteristics. In the last few years a number of Russian science writers and scientists have claimed that epigenetics proves that Lysenko was right after all. This book evaluates that claim."--Provided by publisher.

Publication/Creation

Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press, 2016.

Physical description

209 pages : black and white illustrations ; 22 cm

Contents

The friendly siberian foxes -- The inheritance of acquired characteristics -- Paul Kammerer, enfant terrible of biology -- The great debate about human heredity in 1920s Russia -- Lysenko up close -- Lysenko's biological views -- Epigenetics -- The recent rebirth of Lysenkoism in Russia -- Surprising effects of the new Lysenkoism -- Anti-Lysenko Russian supporters of the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Bibliographic information

Includes bibliographical references (pages 169-194) and index.

Languages

Where to find it

  • LocationStatus
    History of Medicine
    AOT.31.AA9
    Open shelves

Permanent link

Identifiers

ISBN

  • 9780674089051
  • 0674089057