James Watson, the scientist who invented the structure of DNA, has died at the age of 97

American molecular biologist James Watson has died at the age of 97, says The New York Times.

Watson became famous for discovering the structure of the DNA molecule together with his colleagues Francis Crickin with in 1953.

The discovery of the structure of DNA, the double helix, is considered one of the significant breakthroughs in science. In 1962, the men were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their discovery together with their colleagues Maurice Wilkinsin with.

However, the discovery was based on a chemist Rosalind Franklinin for investigations. Wilkins and Franklin had worked as a pair. Unbeknownst to him, Wilkins had introduced Franklin’s findings to young molecular biologists.

Watson and Crick managed to publish their own conclusions before Franklin. By the time the men received the Nobel, Franklin had already died of cancer, and he did not get credit for his part in discovering the structure.

Watson continued to research the human genome throughout his working career and, among other things, led the prestigious Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory research institute in New York.

Although highly regarded in the academic world, Watson was known as a controversial figure with racist and sexist opinions.

In 2007, Watson caused a stir by claiming in an interview with the Sunday Times that black Africans are less intelligent than white Europeans.

Watson later apologized for his words, saying there was no scientific basis for them, but his reputation had taken a bad hit.

In 2019, he again presented similar ideas on television, after which the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory stripped the elderly researcher of the titles of professor and chancellor.