The author who proposed the theory of "natural selection," which other people called "survival of the fittest" was named Charles Darwin. These two ideas are the founding basis of the theory of evolution.
I think no. Sorry if wrong. Is this what you were looking for?
1) few advancements in scientific knowledge were made
They are important to grow crops and graze livestocks. It's the one of the most important sources of food for Russians, Ukranians, Kazakhstanians etc.