Nobel Prize-winning American scientist James Watson, one of the co-discoverers of the structure of DNA, has died aged 97.
In one of the greatest breakthroughs of the 20th Century, he identified the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953 alongside British scientist Francis Crick, setting the stage for rapid advances in molecular biology.
However, Watson's reputation suffered greatly due to his controversial comments regarding race and sex, most notably claims made in a television interview regarding genetic differences in intelligence among racial groups.
His death was confirmed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he worked and researched for decades, before resigning as chancellor due to his comments.
Watson shared the Nobel Prize in 1962 with Maurice Wilkins and Francis Crick for the groundbreaking discovery of DNA’s double helix structure. We have discovered the secret of life, they famously stated at the time.
In the early 2000s, Watson faced backlash from the scientific community, largely distancing himself due to these remarks. Despite apologizing, he lost significant positions and honors, emphasizing how his later years were overshadowed by controversy.
James Watson was born in Chicago in April 1928 and received a scholarship to the University of Chicago at the young age of 15. His early research interests led him to Cambridge University, where he partnered with Crick to model DNA structures.
After his Nobel achievement, he held a professorship at Harvard and led Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, transforming it into a leading research center until the controversies of his remarks derailed much of his reputation.
Watson’s dual legacy as a scientific pioneer and a controversial figure continues to evoke debate within the scientific community and beyond.
