James Watson, Co-Discoverer of DNA's Double Helix, Dies
James Watson, the brilliant yet controversial American biologist who co-discovered the structure of DNA in 1953, has died at the age of 97. His groundbreaking work revealed the molecular structure of DNA, the molecule of heredity, launching the genetics era and laying the foundation for the late 20th century's biotechnology revolution.
His death was confirmed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island, where he spent much of his career. According to The New York Times, he passed away this week at a hospice on Long Island.
Legacy and Controversy
Watson’s reputation later suffered due to his controversial remarks linking genetics and race, which led to his ostracism by many in the scientific community. Even in his early years, he was known not just for his scientific achievements but also for his provocative personality and writing style, sometimes using other scientists' data to further his own research.
The Double Helix Memoir
In 1968, Watson authored The Double Helix, a candid and provocative memoir detailing how he and British physicist Francis Crick discovered DNA’s three-dimensional structure. This achievement earned them, along with Maurice Wilkins, the 1962 Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Crick complained that the book "grossly invaded my privacy."
Maurice Wilkins criticized it for portraying scientists as "ambitious schemers willing to deceive colleagues and competitors in order to make a discovery."
The discovery ultimately paved the way for genetic engineering, gene therapy, and various DNA-based medical technologies.
Author's summary: James Watson's discovery of DNA's structure revolutionized genetics, though his later controversial remarks overshadowed his scientific legacy.