US EditionJames Watson, co-discoverer of the double-helix shape of DNA, has died at age 97
- On Thursday, James D. Watson, molecular biologist and co-discoverer of DNA's double helix, died at 97 in East Northport, New York, his son said he was moved to hospice after infection treatment.
- Watson and Francis Crick described the double-helix structure of DNA when James D. Watson was 24, earning a 1962 Nobel Prize with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins and helping launch the Human Genome Project.
- The discovery opened the door to gene therapies, forensic DNA identification and tracing family trees, while the double helix became a cultural symbol and James D. Watson later had the six billion base pairs of his DNA sequenced.
- Amid controversy, Watson faced condemnation for racist remarks, leading Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory to revoke honors and suspend him in 2007, said Paul Lombardo.
- His career left a complicated legacy as James D. Watson, molecular biologist, used his prestige to lead Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory for nearly 40 years and in 2014 donated $4.1 million from his Nobel Prize auction to charity.
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Hastings Tribune
The Daily GazetteJames Watson, who helped discover DNA structure, dies at 97
James Watson, whose co-discovery of DNA’s structure brought genetics to the forefront of scientific research before his remarks about the intelligence of Black people caused public outrage, has died. He was 97.
He was the first leader of the Human Genome Project (PGH), a scientific initiative that sought to sequence all human DNA and map all its genes and was completed in 2003 Read
DNA pioneer James Watson has died ― colleagues wrestle with his legacy
The co-discoverer of the structure of DNA helped to strengthen a US research institute and wrote a classic textbook, but also earned a reputation for racist and sexist comments. The co-discoverer of the structure of DNA helped to strengthen a US research institute and wrote a classic textbook, but also earned a reputation for racist and sexist comments.
Together with Francis Crick, he deciphered the three-dimensional structure of the DNA double helix, laying the foundation for modern genetics. However, in late years he maneuvered away with racist statements.
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