"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. Lysenko became one of the most notorious figures in twentieth-century science after his genetic theories were discredited decades ago. Yet some scientists now claim that discoveries in epigenetics prove that he was right after all. Loren Graham reopens the case, to determine whether new developments in molecular biology validate Lysenko’s claims.