James Watson helped crack DNA's code, sparking medical advances and ethical debates

James Watson, the scientist who co-discovered the structure of DNA, died on November 6, 2025, at the age of 97. Watson, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, won the Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking work on the double helix structure of DNA. This discovery revolutionized medicine and biology, influencing fields such as crime fighting and genealogy. Watson’s career was marked by significant achievements, including his role in mapping the human genome. However, his legacy is complicated by controversial remarks about race, which led to his conviction and loss of his honorary titles. His contributions to science remain influential.