DNA pioneer James Watson dies at 97

November 8, 2025

James Watson, the American scientist who co-discovered DNA's double-helix structure in 1953 with Francis Crick, has died at age 97. While his groundbreaking work with Crick and Maurice Wilkins earned him a Nobel Prize in 1962 and revolutionized molecular biology, Watson's legacy became deeply tarnished by his repeated racist and sexist statements linking race to intelligence and disparaging women in science. His controversial remarks led to his ostracization from the scientific community and the loss of his position as chancellor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he had worked for decades.

Who is affected

James Watson (deceased scientist)
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (his former employer)
The scientific community that ostracized him
Black people and women in science (targets of his disparaging comments)
Watson's family, including his wife Elizabeth and their two sons
Rosalind Franklin (whose work was used without her knowledge and who faced sexist remarks from Watson)
Former colleagues and female scientists whose careers he mentored at Harvard

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The article reports on Watson's death and recounts past events and actions that have already concluded.

Why it matters

Watson's death marks the end of a complex and controversial life that embodied both scientific brilliance and ethical failure. His co-discovery of DNA's double-helix structure was one of the 20th century's most important scientific breakthroughs, fundamentally advancing our understanding of genetics and molecular biology. However, his story also serves as a cautionary tale about how scientific achievement does not excuse harmful, unscientific views about race and gender, and demonstrates that the scientific community will ultimately reject even Nobel laureates who promote racist pseudoscience. His case highlights ongoing discussions about separating scientific contributions from the personal failings of scientists and the historical erasure of women's contributions, particularly Rosalind Franklin's essential role in DNA research.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC