Cranial base flexion and H. erectus skulls.

SOMEONE SHOULD INFORM RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin, who is seeking to displace scientists and germ plasm at the Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry so federal bureaucrats can move into the space (“Prestigious plant institute in jeopardy,” News of the Week, 31 Jan., p. 641), that 61 years ago, several Vavilov scientists sacrificed their lives in a truly heroic, unprecedented, and ultimately successful effort to preserve the Institute’s invaluable seed collections (1). During the 880-day seige of Leningrad by the Germans during World War II, tens of thousands of city residents died of starvation. Fully understanding that the country’s agricultural future depended on their ability to preserve the Institute’s diverse gene stocks, the scientists knew that they must protect the collections, which were largely made up of seeds, fruits, and tubers, all very edible and nutritious. The scientists divided and dispersed some of the collections and guarded others around the clock. Despite being severely undernourished themselves and despite working within meters of a vast supply of food, the scientists chose death over depleting the country’s genetic heritage. A total of eight of Vavilov’s scientists died in 1942, and at least one, Alexander G. Stchukin, a peanut specialist, actually died at his desk (1). Putin should make sure these true Russian heroes did not die in vain. Rather than trying to supplant the Institute, Putin and his advisers should be taking steps to protect the underfunded and embattled gene bank (the second largest in the world), so that Russia’s agricultural genetic diversity can be preserved and used to help feed Russia’s future generations. MARK A. DAVIS Department of Biology, Macalester College, St. Paul, MN 55105, USA. E-mail: [email protected]