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'''Lysenkoism''' was an extension of [[Lamarck|Lamarckian evolution]] which was espoused by the [[Soviet]] geneticist [[Trofim Denisovich Lysenko|Trofim Lysenko]] in the early 20th century, and an excellent example of [[deceit]] used to 'prove' [[evolution]].

'''Lysenkoism''' was an extension of [[Lamarck|Lamarckian evolution]] which was espoused by the [[Soviet]] geneticist [[Trofim Denisovich Lysenko|Trofim Lysenko]] in the early 20th century, and an excellent example of politically-motivated [[deceit]] used to 'prove' an ideologically-based theory.

Lysenkoism adopted Lamarck's idea of "acquired characteristics," which states that the traits an [[organism]]'s develops during its life are passed on to their descendants.  

Lysenkoism adopted Lamarck's idea of "acquired characteristics," which states that the traits an [[organism]] develops during its life are passed on to their descendants.  

The theory was given enormous political support in the Soviet Union from the late 1930s until the 1950s.  Geneticists and biologists in general who disagreed with Lysenkoism lost their positions, and many were imprisoned or killed during the Stalinist purges of the late 1930s.

The theory was given enormous political support in the Soviet Union from the late 1930s until the 1950s.  Geneticists and biologists in general who disagreed with Lysenkoism lost their positions, and many were imprisoned or killed during the Stalinist purges of the late 1930s.