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Nobel laureate James Watson, the discoverer of the DNA structure, has passed away

10/11/2025 SCIENCE

American scientist James Dewey Watson contributed to the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA at the age of 25. Watson passed away at his home in New York on Thursday at the age of 97. His son Duncan Watson announced that his father died after being taken to a hospital for infection treatment. This information was announced by the New York Times.

NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING DISCOVERY

Watson and co-discoverer Francis H.C. Crick were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962 for discovering the double helix structure of DNA. DNA was recognized as a revolutionary molecule in the scientific world, carrying genetic information and forming the basis of chromosomes.

The discovery of DNA’s structure in 1953 paved the way for many advances in genetics. This discovery had a broad impact, from detecting mutations to developing genetically modified products and emerging technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.

CRITICIZED FOR UNDERVALUING FRANKLIN’S CONTRIBUTIONS

Watson was criticized for downplaying Rosalind Franklin’s contributions and for controversial statements. Franklin’s X-ray results and unpublished research were used by Crick and Watson.

In 2014, Watson announced that he would sell his Nobel medal, claiming he felt isolated from the scientific community. He planned to donate part of the proceeds to scientific research. The medal was sold for 4.8 million dollars at auction.

In 2019, Watson lost his honorary titles for reiterating statements linking race and intelligence.

Watson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, received honorary degrees from more than a dozen universities, and was a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

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