James Watson: biography, personal life of a scientist

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

James Watson is one of the smartest people in the world. From early childhood, parents noticed his abilities, which predicted a bright future for the child. However, we will learn about how James went to his dream, and what obstacles he overcame on the way to fame, from our article.

Childhood, youth

James Dewey Watson was born April 6, 1928 in Chicago. He grew up in love and joy. As soon as the boy sat down at the school desk, the teachers were already talking while alone that little James was smart beyond his years.

After graduating from the 3rd grade of high school, he went to the radio to participate in an intellectual quiz for children. The boy showed simply amazing abilities. After some time, James is invited to study at the Chicago four-year University. There he shows a genuine interest in ornithology. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree, James is sent to continue his studies at Indiana University Bloomington.

Interest in sciences

While studying at the university James Watson in earnestinterested in genetics. The well-known geneticist Herman J. Möller, as well as the bacteriologist Salvador Lauria, draws attention to his abilities. Scientists offer him to work together. Some time later, James writes a dissertation on the topic "The influence of X-rays on the spread of viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages)". Thanks to this, the young scientist receives a Ph. D.

After that, James Watson continues his research on bacteriophages at the University of Copenhagen, far away in Denmark. Within the walls of the institution, he studies the properties of DNA. However, all this quickly bothers the scientist. He wants to study not just the properties of bacteriophages, but the very structure of the DNA molecule, which geneticists are so zealously exploring.

Advances in Science

In May 1951, at a symposium in Italy (Naples), James meets the English scientist Maurice Wilkins. As it turned out, he, along with his colleague, Rosalind Franklin, is conducting DNA analysis. Research scientists have shown that the cell is a double spiral, which resembles a spiral staircase.

After these data, James Watson decides to conduct a chemical analysis of nucleic acids. After receiving a research grant, he set to work with the physicist Francis Crick. Already in 1953, scientists made a report on the structure of DNA, and a year later they created an enlarged model of the molecule.

After the research was made public, Crick and Watson part ways. James is promoted to Senior Officerbiological department of the California Institute of Technology. Some time later, Watson is offered a job as a professor (1961).

Prizes and awards

James Watson and Francis Crick received the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology. It was an award "For discovery in the field of molecular structure of nucleic acids."

Since 1969, James Watson's theory has been tested by all geneticists in the world. In the same year, the scientist holds the position of director of the laboratory of molecular biology in Long Island. It should be noted that he refuses to work at Harvard University. For many years, Watson has devoted to the study of neuroscience, the role of DNA and viruses in the development of cancer.

By the way, Watson was awarded the Albert Lasker Prize (1971), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1977), the John D. Carthy Medal. It is worth saying that James is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Society of Biochemists, the American Society for Cancer Research, the Danish Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the Council of Harvard University.

Private life

In 1968, Watson marries Elizabeth Levy. The girl worked as an assistant in the laboratory, where James himself once worked. In marriage, the couple had two sons.

There were active rumors that James's daughter is Emma Watson. And James Phelps, by the way, fell into the category of allegedly born out of wedlock children of a scientist. Although, most likely, this is not true.

James Watson on race

Watson argued that people with black skin color have a lower levelintelligence, unlike a person with white skin. For this theory, the famous microbiologist Watson wanted to be called to court. It should be noted that this is not the first time the scientist has allowed himself to express such an opinion. He used to say the exact same thing about women.

Such statements gave rise to a lot of discussions around the famous scientist, similar to those that the book of Watson and Murray produced in the 90s. In it, scientists examined the differences between the intellects of different races. This work was then called an apology for scientific racism.

It's hard to say yet whether the famous scientist will be punished. At the moment, it is known that the American Commission on Racial Equality noted that this unpleasant incident will not be left without attention.

By the way, Watson must have lost his position as director of the Long Island laboratory because of this statement.

Accusation of a scientist of political incorrectness

James Watson is known for his provocative and scandalous statements. For example, a scientist believes against all odds that stupid people are sick and that 10% of them need urgent treatment.

Another statement concerns female beauty. Watson is sure that it is with the help of genetic engineering that all women can be truly attractive and charming.

In the same context, he spoke about gay people. James argues to this day that if a gene for sexual orientation could be created, it wouldI would study it and correct it.

After such a dislike of homosexuals and other non-traditional cultures, Watson was subject to condemnation not only from representatives of these cultures, but also from the authorities.

The focus was on his judgment of overweight people. Watson claims that he would never hire a "fat person" because he considers him intellectually undeveloped.

Well, everyone has their own opinion! And we will observe further research and statements of the famous scientist.