A Passion for DNA: Genes, Genomes, and Society

by James D. Watson

A principal architect and visionary of the new biology, a Nobel Prize-winner at 34 and best-selling author at 40 (The Double Helix), James D. Watson had the authority, flair, and courage to take an early and prominent role as commentator on the march of DNA science and its implications for
society. In essays for publications large and small, and in lectures around the world, he delivered what were, in effect, dispatches from the front lines of the revolution. Outspoken and sparkling with ideas and opinions, a selection of them is collected for the first time in this volume. Their
resonance with today's headlines is striking.

Genres: Biology, Science

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

In 1928, James D. Watson was born in Chicago. Watson, who co-discovered the double helix structure of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) at age 25, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins. His bird-watching hobby prompted his interest in genetics. He earned his B.Sc. degree in zoology from the University of Chicago in 1947, and his Ph.D. from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1950. He worked with Wilkins and Francis Crick at Cavendish Laboratory in England in 1951-1953, when they discovered the structure of DNA. Watson became a member of the Harvard Biology Department in 1956, then a full professor in 1961. His book The Double Helix, which was published in 1968, became a bestseller. Watson was appointed director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island in 1968, and became its president in 1994. As director of the National Center for Human Genome Research at the NIH in 1989, Watson launched the worldwide campaign to map and sequence the human genome. Watson was an outspoken unbeliever who considered that human progress had been shackled by the idea of divine fate, and that human beings should do their utmost to improve the future. In a Youngstown State University speech, Watson said, "The biggest advantage to believing in God is you don't have to understand anything, no physics, no biology. I wanted to understand" (The Vindicator, Dec. 2, 2003).

More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wa...

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prize...

http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/pa...

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...

http://www.dnaftb.org/19/bio.html

Reviews

[Michal Paszkiewicz · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting collection of articles written by James D Watson, the genius geneticist. He writes with passion - indeed he loves writing about himself and his achievements - and he certainly has quite a few. However, he is also dismissive of anyone who isn't an expert geneticist, while himself making rather uninformed comments on philosophy (ethics or natural philosophy). I think the strangest part of this book was near the end, where in multiple essays he points out the evils that were caused by eugenic thinking (racism, the holocaust etc) and yet in more subtle words, he promotes his own weaker eugenic thinking. He believes the lives of those with certain genetic codes are just not worth living and would have us remove them from society using genetic advancements. I could go on, but I'll cover a few more good points: Watson's scientific achievements are wonderful and the book explains well how he managed to make the connexions that allowed him to achieve so much. He has digs at both scientists and those who misunderstand science in equal measure, with great amusement for all. The book is certainly engaging and covers fascinating topics and ideas, even if you have to read them from his very single perspective.

[Alejandro]

Can't even leave a rating cause I don't know hoe I feel about it. 5 stars for me for finishing it but damn this was a hard read for me

[Aurélien Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrating a whole career dedicated to genetics, this book is an anthology of articles and lectures allowing the scientist to share his enthusiasm and passion for a topic that, too often unfortunately, has to meet with ignorance and hysteria from the public at large.

Once finished the first few autobiograghical chapters, good insight into his life and career, Watson leads us straight into a crucial battle, important for our future: genetic researches and its impacts.

He explains what DNA is all about. He's trying, above all, to dissipate the fears surrounding DNA science. GMO, cloning, eugenism... Watson fears nothing and slays a lot of misunderstanding in incisive and passionate chapters. Engaged, he wants to be reassuring. Relevant, he serves a debate more than welcome.

What a pity he's such a poor writer! Full of jargon, heavy, unable to get down his ivory tower (but does he want to?) such a reading is interesting, useful and thoughful yet tough, challenging and, a real pain to go through for whose who are not a bit of an expert. Sadly, this is disappointing because, without such a lack of clarity his arguments (right on many points, but that's my personal view) would be far more powerful.

A challenge, but I recommend it none-the-less warmly.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection of essays, giving historical perspective on Watson's development as a scientist, his opinions on success in science and historical struggles of the ethics of gene therapy. At time repetitive, but definitely has some wonderful hidden gems, as Watson pokes fun at scientists and society.

[Sven Shveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic non fiction book.