James Watson is one of the smartest people in the world.Already from early childhood, parents noticed his abilities, which predicted a bright future for the child. However, we learn about how James went to his dream, and what obstacles were overcome on the way to fame, from our article.
Childhood, youth
James Dewey Watson was born on April 6, 1928 inChicago. He grew up in love and joy. As soon as the boy sat down at the school desk, the teachers already while one said that little James was clever beyond his years.
After finishing the third grade of secondary school, he went toradio to participate in the intellectual quiz for children. The boy demonstrated amazing abilities. After a while, James is invited to study at the University of Chicago four-year. There he shows a genuine interest in ornithology. After receiving a bachelor's degree in natural sciences, James is sent to continue his studies at the Indian University of Bloomington.
Interest in sciences
While studying at the University of James Watsonseriously interested in genetics. The well-known geneticist Hermann J. Moeller and the bacteriologist Salvador Lauria draw attention to his abilities. Scientists offer him to work together. After some time, James wrote his dissertation on the topic “The Effect of X-rays on the Spread of Viruses Infected by Bacteria (Bacteriophages)”. Thanks to this, a young scientist receives a Ph.D.
После этого Джеймс Уотсон продолжает исследование bacteriophages already in the University of Copenhagen, in far Denmark. Within the walls of the institution, he studies the properties of DNA. However, all this quickly annoys the scientist. He wants to study not just the properties of bacteriophages, but the very structure of the DNA molecule, which genetics so zealously investigate.
Advances in science
In May 1951, at a symposium in Italy(Naples) James meets the English scholar Maurice Wilkins. As it turned out, he and his colleague, Rosalyn Franklin, are carrying out DNA analysis. Research scientists have shown that the cell is a double helix, which resembles a spiral staircase.
After this data, James Watson decides to holdchemical analysis of nucleic acids. Having received 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 created an enlarged model of the molecule.
After the studies were made public,Creek and Watson diverge. James is appointed to the position of senior biology department at the California Institute of Technology. After some time, Watson is offered to work as a professor (1961).
Awards and Prizes
James Watson and Francis Creek received the Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology. It was the award "For the discovery in the field of molecular structure of nucleic acids."
Since 1969, the theory of James Watson is verifiedalready all the genetics of 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 been devoting to the study of neurobiology, the role of DNA and viruses in the development of cancer.
By the way, Watson was awarded the Albert Lasker Prize.(1971), Presidential Medal of Freedom (1977), medal of John D. Carti. It is worth saying that James is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Society of Biochemists, the American Cancer Research Society, the Danish Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the Council of Harvard University.
Personal 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, allegedly the daughter of James is Emma Watson. And James Phelps, by the way, fell into the category of allegedly born out of wedlock children of the scientist. Although, most likely, this is not true.
James Watson on races
Watson argued that people with black skinhave a lower level of intelligence, unlike a man with white skin. For this theory, the famous microbiologist Watson would be called to trial. It should be noted that it was not the first time when a scientist allowed himself to express such an opinion. He used to say the same about women.
Such statements spawned around the famousscientist a lot of discussions, like those that in the 90s produced the book of Watson and Murray. In it, scientists considered the differences between the intellects of different races. This work was then called the apology of scientific racism.
It is difficult to say whether a well-known scientist will be punished. At the moment, it is known that the US Commission on Racial Equality noted that this unpleasant incident will not be ignored.
By the way, for sure Watson lost his position as director of the laboratory in Long Island precisely because of this statement.
Scientist accused of political correctness
James Watson is known for his provocative and scandalous statements. For example, a scientist, despite everything, believes 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 you can make all women truly attractive and charming.
In the same context, he spoke aboutunconventional people. James still claims that if one could create a gene responsible for sexual orientation, he would immediately study it and correct it.
After such a dislike of homosexuals and other non-traditional cultures, Watson was condemned not only by the representatives of these cultures, but also by the authorities.
In the center of attention was his opinion about people who are overweight. Watson argues that it was precisely the "fat man" that he would never have taken to work, because he considers him intellectually undeveloped.
Well, everyone has their own opinion! And we will observe further research and statements of a famous scientist.
