DNA Discoverer James Watson Dies at 97

Death of a Scientific Icon

James Watson, the Nobel laureate celebrated for co-discovering DNA’s double-helix structure, passed away at the age of 97 on Thursday, November 6, 2025, while in hospice care on Long Island, New York. His former workplace, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, confirmed his death on Friday. Watson’s career, while monumental in scientific achievement, was later overshadowed by a series of highly controversial remarks on race and intelligence.

Groundbreaking Discovery of DNA

Watson’s name became synonymous with one of the 20th century’s most significant scientific breakthroughs. In 1953, alongside Francis Crick, he unveiled the double-helix structure of DNA. This discovery, for which he shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Crick and Maurice Wilkins, fundamentally transformed biology. Their work provided the foundation for understanding genetic coding and protein synthesis, paving the way for advancements in medicine, forensics, and genetic engineering, including DNA-based criminal investigations and genetically modified organisms.

Academic Journey and Early Research

Born on April 6, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, Watson displayed academic excellence from an early age, earning a scholarship to the University of Chicago at just 15. He earned a degree in zoology in 1947 and completed his Ph.D. in zoology at Indiana University in 1950. His interest in DNA research led him to study X-ray diffraction patterns at Cambridge University in England. Further work at the University of Copenhagen and the Zoological Station in Naples connected him with Maurice Wilkins and introduced him to the X-ray images crucial for decoding DNA’s structure.

Partnership with Francis Crick

Watson’s collaboration with Francis Crick became one of the most renowned partnerships in science. Drawing on X-ray data from Rosalind Franklin and Wilkins at King’s College London, Watson and Crick initially struggled to construct a viable model of DNA. Their perseverance culminated in the now-iconic double-helix model, which not only revealed DNA’s twisted-ladder shape but also explained its mechanism for self-replication. The findings were published in Nature in April–May 1953 and received worldwide acclaim.

Later Career and Contributions

Watson spent 15 years teaching at Harvard before assuming leadership of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, transforming it into a premier international center for molecular biology research. Between 1988 and 1992, he served as one of the directors of the Human Genome Project at the National Institutes of Health, overseeing efforts to map human genes—a milestone in genetics. He also contributed to cancer research, leaving a lasting legacy in multiple areas of biology.

Controversies and Retirement

Despite his scientific achievements, Watson’s legacy became increasingly marred by offensive public statements. He repeatedly expressed racist and sexist views, most infamously claiming that Africans were less intelligent than white people. These remarks, alongside controversial comments on obesity and other topics, led to his retirement in 2007. In 2020, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory severed all remaining ties with Watson, including his emeritus status, after he reiterated similar statements.

Legacy

James Watson remains a complex figure: a visionary scientist whose discoveries revolutionized biology, yet whose public remarks sparked global criticism and ethical debates. His work continues to influence genetics, medicine, and molecular biology, even as his personal views remain a cautionary tale about the responsibilities of public intellectuals.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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