The Secret of Life:
DISCOVERING DNA
Read James Watson’s letter to his son about his newly developed model of DNA.
Then, watch Bill Nye’s interview with the elderly James Watson as part of The Science Channel’s 100 Greatest Discoveries: Notice he says that “today you can buy a kit and assemble the structure that Watson and Crick put together.” Well, we’re just going to build our own! |
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In the 100 Greatest Discoveries video above, Bill Nye also says:
“Watson and Crick needed more data. With the help of physicist Maurice Wilkins, they gained access to an X-ray picture of a DNA molecule that had been taken by his research partner. Her name was Rosalind Franklin. Without her knowledge, Waston and Crick used the data from that X-ray image and successfully completed their model.”
But that’s hardly the whole story...
Rosalind Franklin
James Watson and Francis Crick, plus Rosalind's research partner, Maurice Wilkins, all received Nobel Prizes in Medicine for their work. But Rosalind, by that time, had died of ovarian cancer (likely caused by the X-rays she used to produce her photographic evidence). Her name was not included among those whose work led to the breakthrough, and many have concluded that she was snubbed simply for being a women.
Hank Green gives you a brief rundown of the controversy: Some additional resources are below if you'd like to explore further:
Here are 2 fantastic, but longer, more in-depth takes on the subject:
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iii. Final Thoughts?It's only fair that we let James Watson tell his side of the story:
"She had a clue that she What do you think? Share your thoughts in the box below.
(Don't forget to click "Submit!") |
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