Trofim Denisovich Lysenko

1 9.9

A Soviet scientist who said traits gained in life pass to children and who rejected modern genetics under Stalin

proper noun

: Trofim Denisovich Lysenko

Many scientists were persecuted for opposing Trofim Denisovich Lysenko's unorthodox views on genetics.

Examples

The policies of Trofim Denisovich Lysenko had a lasting impact on Soviet agriculture.
The legacy of Trofim Denisovich Lysenko remains controversial among historians of science.
Trofim Denisovich Lysenko was a controversial figure.
What did Trofim Denisovich Lysenko advocate?
Many scientists were persecuted for opposing Trofim Denisovich Lysenko's unorthodox views on genetics.
The legacy of Trofim Denisovich Lysenko remains controversial among historians of science.
The policies of Trofim Denisovich Lysenko had a lasting impact on Soviet agriculture.

Surface Forms

Trofim Denisovich Lysenko main

Morphology

Trofim + Denisovich + Lysenko

This item is a proper name (given name + patronymic + surname), so knowing the constituent name-words does not allow a learner to infer the referent or the biographical meaning (Soviet biologist who promoted Lysenkoism). While 'Denisovich' may signal a Slavic patronymic to some speakers, the identity and historical information are arbitrary and not compositionally derivable, making it opaque to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Trofim Denisovich Lysenko belongs to a Soviet biologist who rose to power under Stalin by claiming that plants and animals could pass on traits they gained in life. He used his power to stop real genetic research and to punish scientists who disagreed. That's why his name is often remembered as a symbol of 'bad science' and 'political control' over research.