James Watson, Co-Discoverer of DNA Double Helix, Dies at 97

James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA’s double helix, has died at 97. He won the 1962 Nobel Prize with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for uncovering DNA’s structure. Though later criticized for racist remarks, his contributions to genetics remain foundational.

James Watson, one of the pioneering scientists credited with discovering the double-helix structure of DNA, has passed away at the age of 97. He died in hospice care on Long Island, New York, bringing to a close the life of a man whose work revolutionized molecular biology but whose later years were clouded by controversy.

Born in Chicago in 1927, Watson’s fascination with genetics began early and led him to pursue a Ph.D. in zoology at Indiana University. His career would take a historic turn in the early 1950s, when he joined Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. There, he met Francis Crick, a partnership that would change the course of modern science.

Working together at the Cavendish Laboratory, Watson and Crick embarked on the challenge of uncovering the molecular structure of DNA — the molecule that carries genetic information in all living organisms. Their breakthrough came in 1953, when they proposed that DNA consists of two intertwined strands forming a spiral, or double helix. This discovery was built upon crucial X-ray diffraction research conducted by Rosalind Franklin and her student Raymond Gosling, as well as data provided by Maurice Wilkins.

The identification of the double helix not only solved one of biology’s greatest mysteries but also laid the foundation for modern genetics, biotechnology, and medicine. It explained how genetic information is stored and replicated, and it gave rise to a new era in understanding heredity, evolution, and disease. The double helix quickly became a universal emblem of science, symbolizing human curiosity and discovery.

In recognition of their monumental achievement, Watson, Crick, and Wilkins were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. Franklin, whose contributions were indispensable, was not included in the award, as the Nobel Prize is not given posthumously — she had died of cancer in 1958. Over the years, Franklin’s role in the discovery has received growing acknowledgment, and she is now celebrated as one of the key figures in the history of science.

Watson’s 1968 memoir, The Double Helix, offered an inside look at the discovery process but also drew criticism for its negative portrayal of Franklin, whom he depicted in a dismissive and sometimes condescending manner. The book sparked widespread debate about sexism and credit in scientific research, prompting later reassessments of how contributions, particularly by women, were overlooked in that era.

Despite his scientific legacy, Watson’s later life was marred by controversy over racist and discriminatory statements. In 2007, during an interview, he suggested that he was pessimistic about Africa’s prospects because he believed that Black people were less intelligent than white people — remarks that caused widespread outrage. As a result, he resigned from his leadership position at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a prestigious biomedical research center on Long Island that he had directed and helped shape for decades.

The controversy resurfaced in 2019, when Watson repeated similar views in a television documentary. In response, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory issued a strong condemnation of his remarks, labeling them “reckless personal opinions” that were wholly incompatible with the institution’s values. The laboratory severed all remaining ties with him and revoked his honorary titles.

Although Watson’s later comments tarnished his reputation, his role in the discovery of DNA’s structure remains a cornerstone of modern biology. His work, together with that of Crick, Franklin, Wilkins, and others, fundamentally changed humanity’s understanding of life at its most basic level. The double helix remains an enduring symbol of scientific inquiry, representing both the triumphs and the ethical challenges that come with groundbreaking discovery.