A chronological sequence of correspondence, drafts, notes and publications, concentrated particularly on the 1940s and 1950s when Darlington was one of the central figures in Britain attacking the theories and influence of Lysenko, and more generally the interference of ideology and politics in Russian science. Darlington wrote extensively and forcefully on the subject, as well as giving broadcast talks or contributions to discussions and reviewing publications by others.

The publishing history of some of his articles was far from smooth (MS. Darlington c. 25/D.77-78) and some of his suggestions were rejected (MS. Darlington c. 25/D.76). Darlington lived long enough to see the rehabilitation of his friend Vavilov and to write an obituary of Lysenko (MS. Darlington c. 26/D.114-116).

Darlington, for all his tilting at officialdom and despite his personal friendships with several participants in the debate, such as J.S. Huxley and J.B.S. Haldane, took the other view as a geneticist.