On James Watson 2/n • His treatment of Rosalind Franklin was grotesque, mitigated in a minuscule way by the epilogue in The Double Helix, and other comments in public
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On James Watson 3/n • Was Franklin robbed? She was treated horribly in many ways, but the story is complex, and I suggest you read
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On James Watson 4/n • Was Franklin robbed of the Nobel Prize? No: they are not awarded posthumously • Watson has repeatedly and for many years expressed horrid views in public, undisputedly sexist and racist comments, which I have personally witnessed
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On James Watson 5/n • These are views he has held since he was in his 20s • There are many, many other witnesses to these views in private encounters, some attention seeking, some cruel, all demeaning
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On James Watson 6/n • Many of the grotesque views he has expressed are also scientifically illiterate or inaccurate • He was pivotal in ensuring that the HGP restricted private ownership or patents on human genes, and this deserves to be recognised
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On James Watson 7/n • Watson made incomparable contributions to the history of biology, whilst also being a horrible man • In my opinion, science – and society – are richer for acknowledging both of these things
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On James Watson 8/n • In my opinion, there is very little reason to invite him to scientific conferences, meetings or to comment on current science • To do so legitimises his views, the discomfort that he has served to hundreds of scientists and others
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On James Watson 9/9 • Franklin is one of the greatest scientists of any age, and we could all work harder to understand the complexities of her story, rather than resort to mythology. Science and society is served better that wayhttp://bit.ly/1Ya9FAq
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Credit yes, accolades, no, IMO.
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I believe it is fine to appreciate his role in the discovery, but we mustn't let that make us excuse his awful views and behaviour. Not all clever men are nice people, we should call out vile beliefs regardless of who the person is.
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I agree, but it's also wrong to allow his awful views and behaviour to overshadow or throw doubt on his very significant work. There is a danger of that happening.
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