Top Russian scientist fired for claiming sin can harm unborn babies

A leading Russian scientist has been fired after claiming humans used to live for 900 years, but due to the sins of our ancestors, we now have a shorter lifespan.

The firmly non-scientific views were shared by Dr Alexander Kudryavtsev, head of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vavilov Institute of General Genetics.

Dr Kudryavtsev, 60, made the series of controversial statements last March during the Third International Scientific and Theological Conference ‘God – Man – World’.

The Russian government did not give a reason for his sacking, but Fyodor Lukyanov, head of the Russian church’s commission on family issues, said the dismissal was ‘for religious beliefs and statements’ in accordance with belief that ‘violate the ethics of the scientific community’.

Dr Kudryavtsev claimed the universe was made by God, but fell into ‘decay’ due to the ‘original, ancestral and personal sin’ of people – and that before the biblical flood, people used to live up to 900 years.

When he was challenged by the media, he said: ‘I wanted to emphasise the harmful influence of so-called bad habits – what theologians call sin. They also affect the genome. ‌

Noah's ark — Before the flood, humans lived to 900, Dr Alexander Kudryavtsev claims (Picture: Getty)

‘Atheist scientists will tell you that in fact, it’s radiation, it’s pollution, it’s all mutagenic effects. Nevertheless, my personal conviction is that such destruction is initiated by original sin, aggravated by ancestral sin, and personal sin too.’

He added that the genetic mutations ’caused by sin’ could affect up to seven generations.

‘If a mutation occurs in your body, in your gametes [sperm and eggs], it will be passed on to your offspring, and nothing can be done about it. ‌The conclusion is simple: if you want to have healthy offspring, don’t develop bad habits, don’t fall into sin.’