The 1948 Congress

The 1948 International Congress on Genetics in Sweden

The international congresses have played an important role in the history of genetics. The 8th congress, which was held in Sweden in 1948, celebrated the conclusion of the 2nd World War and the many barriers to scientific communication that it represented, and highlighted many major scientific advances that had taken place (largely in isolation) during the war.

The congress also signalled a hardening of the fight against Lysenkoism, which was gaining momentum in the Soviet Union. A rare document is available from the Congress – an amateur firlm made by a young delegate, Nils Nybom. With its help a living description can be given of the scientific and political melees in which the delegates were involved.