James Watson, Co-Discoverer of DNA's Double Helix, Dies at 97
James Watson, the American biologist who co-discovered the DNA double helix in 1953, has passed away at 97. His groundbreaking work launched the era of genetics and laid the foundation for the biotechnology revolution of the late 20th century.
Watson's death was confirmed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island, where he spent many years of his career. According to The New York Times, he died this week at a hospice on Long Island.
Controversy and Legacy
In his later years, Watson's reputation suffered due to controversial remarks on genetics and race, resulting in his marginalization by the scientific community. Even in his youth, he was as well known for his outspoken and provocative personality as for his scientific achievements, including his readiness to use other researchers' data to advance his work.
Memoir and Nobel Prize
His 1968 memoir, The Double Helix, offers a candid and vivid account of how he and British physicist Francis Crick unraveled DNA's three-dimensional structure. This discovery earned them the 1962 Nobel Prize in Medicine.
The Double Helix was a "racy, take-no-prisoners account" of the breakthrough.
The unraveling of DNA's structure paved the way for genetic engineering, gene therapy, and numerous advances in DNA-based medicine and technologies.
Author’s summary: James Watson’s discovery of DNA's double helix revolutionized genetics but his legacy remains complex due to controversial views expressed later in life.