DNA pioneer James Watson dies at the age of 97 – a legacy!

DNA pioneer James Watson dies at the age of 97 – a legacy!

James Watson, the well-known US scientist and co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, died on November 7, 2025 at the age of 97. The death of the legendary researcher was announced by the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island, New York, where Watson worked for many years. According to Schwarzwälder Bote, Watson and his colleague Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA as a double helix in the 1950s decoded, a discovery that continues to make waves today and is considered a milestone in the history of science.

The original description of the double helix structure was published in April 1953 in a groundbreaking paper that revolutionized the scientific world. Watson only took part in this great breakthrough at the tender age of 24. Along with Crick and Maurice Wilkins, Watson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1962, an honor that underlines the immense importance of their work, which laid the foundation for modern genetic engineering. According to Die Zeit, he also dealt with other topics in biology, published influential textbooks and wrote an autobiography that reflects his life's work.

A controversial path

However, Watson's life path was not without controversy. In 2007, he expressed racist views that black people were less intelligent than white people. These comments led to public outrage and had drastic consequences for his career. He subsequently resigned from his position as chancellor of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and the laboratory terminated all existing ties with him, such as the Black Forest Bote reported. Watson's withdrawal from the public eye continued until his death.

Born in Chicago, Watson leaves an important legacy in science. Despite his controversial views before the end of his career, his contribution to biology remains unmistakable. At a time when scientists are often in the spotlight, his work is both admired and critically viewed.

Watson was married and had two children who accompanied him in his final years. His life's work and the traces he leaves behind are both a celebration of discovery and a reminder of the importance of responsible action and thinking in science. The fact that such a person, who unraveled the nature of life, ultimately sparked controversy raises questions that go far beyond the boundaries of science.