James Dewey Watson, the eminent scientist who was instrumental in unveiling the DNA double-helix structure and played a pivotal role in launching the Human Genome Project, has died at the age of 97. His son, Duncan, confirmed Watsonās passing on Thursday at a hospice in East Northport, New York, after he had been hospitalized with an infection. The news was also verified by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Born in Chicago in 1928, Watson rose to scientific fame in 1953 alongside colleague Francis Crick. At just 25 years old, they deciphered the molecular structure of DNA at Englandās Cavendish laboratory. Their groundbreaking discovery was significantly aided by the work of Rosalind Franklin, whose X-ray images of DNA were pivotal in identifying the moleculeās structure. However, Franklinās contributions were overshadowed and under-credited, particularly as a key image, Photo 51, was secretly shared with Watson and Crick by Maurice Wilkins without Franklinās consent.
In 1962, Watson, Crick, and Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery. Unfortunately, Franklin, who had passed away from ovarian cancer in 1958 at the age of 37, could not be recognized posthumously, as per Nobel regulations. The manner in which Watson and Crick handled Franklinās work has sparked enduring criticism in the scientific realm. Throughout his career and in his writings, Watson made disparaging remarks about Franklin's intelligence and appearance, further tarnishing his controversial legacy.