James D. Watson, Co-Discoverer of DNA, Dies at 97
James D. Watson, the distinguished yet controversial American biologist who, alongside Francis Crick, revealed the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953, has died at the age of 97. This discovery revolutionized genetics and laid the groundwork for modern biotechnology.
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, Watson passed away this week at a hospice on Long Island.
A Landmark Discovery and Recognition
Watson’s collaboration with British physicist Francis Crick led to the first accurate model of DNA’s three-dimensional structure. Their discovery reshaped biology and secured them a share of the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The breakthrough later fueled advances in genetic engineering, gene therapy, and other branches of DNA-based science.
A Complicated Legacy
As a young scientist, Watson was known not only for his research but also for his audacious personality and readiness to use others’ data to accelerate his own work. His memoir, The Double Helix (1968), offered a bold and unfiltered look at the race to uncover the structure of DNA, cementing his reputation as both a groundbreaking scientist and a polarizing figure.
“We’re going to cure so many nasty genetic diseases.”
In later years, Watson faced widespread condemnation for remarks linking genetics and race, leading to his isolation from much of the scientific community. Despite this controversy, his role in unraveling the chemical basis of heredity remains one of the 20th century’s landmark achievements.
Author’s Summary
James D. Watson’s legacy embodies both unparalleled scientific discovery and lasting controversy, marking him as a transformative yet divisive figure in modern science.