Lamarckism, a theory of 

evolution based on the
principle that physical changes in organisms during
their lifetime—such as greater development of
an organ or a part through increased use—could be
transmitted to their offspring. The doctrine, proposed
by the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in
1809, influenced evolutionary thought through most
of the 19th century. Lamarckism was discredited by
most geneticists after the 1930s, but certain of its
ideas continued to be held in the Soviet Union into the
mid-20th century.