PROTEST FROM SOVIET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27358, 6 April 1950, Page 7

PROTEST FROM SOVIET

Rejection Of Theories On Genetics DR HUXLEY ATTACKED Rec. 7 p.m. LONDON, Apl. 5. When the Manchester Guardian this week published a lengthy letter from Professor I. Glushchenko, of the Academy of Science of the USSR, complaining that Western scientists had dismissed Russian theories on genetics without study and strongly attacking Dr Julian Huxley, the British scientist who had criticised the Russian theories. Professor Eric Ashby, director of the Manchester Botanical Laboratories, who visited Russia five years ago, wrote expressing the hope that Pravda would give Dr Huxley the same opportunity to express his views that the Guardian had given Professor Glushchenko. Professor Ashby pointed out that Professor Glushchenko had been allowed to lecture on Russian genetic theories in Britain, and suggested that similar facilities might be extended to Dr Huxley to visit Russia and expound opposing points of view. The present dispute between Russia and Western. scientists over genetics, said Professor Ashby, had largely arisen because the Russian Government refused to allow scientists to mix and discuss their ideas. Dr Huxley supports the Mendelian theory of genetics, which holds that heredity is the most important influence in biological evolution. Professor Glushchenko, in common with other Russian biologists, supports the Michurin theory which considers that environment is the most important influence.