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December 1, 2008 8:01:45 AM CST

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James Watson

James Watson news stories

9 Stories



 

10 Volunteers Go Public 
 With Their DNA 

Database will divulge what really makes a Harvard man, and other genetic secrets

New York Times New York Times Oct 20, 08 10:51 AM CDT
(Newser) - Ten volunteers, including some rather well known ones, are exposing themselves online, the New York Times reports, by making their DNA available for anyone to peruse. The goal of the Personal Genome Project is to start making genetic information—along with personal traits called phenotypes—publicly available, a move whose scientific usefulness is huge and whose social implications are unclear. That's why the first group consists of only experts or investors in the field. More »

More about:  DNA • privacy • genetics • genome • James Watson • Personal Genome Project

Scientist Blasted for Racism Has Black Genes

Watson said blacks less intelligent than whites

Independent (UK) Independent (UK) Dec 10, 07 7:01 AM CST
(Newser) - Nobel laureate James Watson, famous for co-discovering DNA and infamous for his theory that black Africans are less intelligent than whites, turns out to have a genetic profile with 16 times as many black genes as the average white European, the Independent reports. Watson's genes are said to be comparable to someone with an African great-grandparent. More »

More about:  Africa • race • DNA • genes • James Watson • human intelligence

Muslims See Hypocrisy on Hate Speech

Radio host's slur
seen as evidence of
US double standard

Christian Science Monitor Christian Science Monitor Dec 4, 07 6:20 PM CST
(Newser) - After radio host Michael Savage took potshots at Islam, the relatively muted response has left Muslim Americans with a question: Where's the outrage? A handful of advertisers have pulled out, but the reaction is nowhere near as strong as it was, say, when Don Imus made an anti-black slur, the Christian Science Monitor notes. Savage is not alone voicing anti-Muslim sentiments, and many see a double standard at play. More »

More about:  Don Imus • James Watson • American Muslims • Muslim Americans • Isaiah Washington • hate speech • Michael Savage

Watson Retires Amid Race Furor

Watson leaves job as Laboratory head

New York Times New York Times Oct 25, 07 12:39 PM CDT
(Newser) - Amid outrage over recent racial remarks, Nobel Prize-winning geneticist James Watson is retiring as chancellor of Long Island’s Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the New York Times reports. Watson, 79, said his departure was overdue but admitted this wasn’t how he’d wanted to leave. The lab suspended Watson after he said that black people were  less intelligent than white. More »

More about:  DNA • race relations • genetics • Long Island • racial inequality • James Watson

Lab Suspends Watson After Race Row

DNA pioneer and Nobel winner cancels book tour to fight for his job

Times (UK) Times (UK) Oct 19, 07 2:00 PM CDT
(Newser) - Embattled geneticist James Watson was suspended from his laboratory today in response to comments he made suggesting that black people are inherently less intelligent than whites, the London Times   reports. The 79-year-old scientist  canceled a British book tour and headed back to the States. The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, which he has led for 40 years, said it was suspending his administrative duties "pending further deliberation.” More »

More about:  DNA • genetics • James Watson

DNA Scientist Apologizes for Racial Uproar

Watson says he's "mortified," doesn't think Africa is inferior

Associated Press Associated Press Oct 18, 07 7:50 PM CDT
(Newser) - DNA pioneer James Watson apologized today for comments in which he implied that white people were smarter than black people, the AP reported. "I am mortified about what has happened," said Watson, who helped discover the structure of DNA but whose recent words brought international condemnation and scorn. "I cannot understand how I could have said what I am quoted as having said." More »

More about:  DNA • James Watson

DNA Pioneer Ignites Furor Over Race and Intelligence

Watson claims blacks lag in reasoning powers

Independent (UK) Independent (UK) Oct 17, 07 12:05 PM CDT
(Newser) - One of the most decorated modern scientists has ignited an explosion after telling the Independent that white people are smarter than black people—a view also reflected in his new book. James Watson, who helped discover the structure of DNA, claimed Western policies towards Africa should not assume "that their intelligence is the same as ours." Politicians and scientists alike are decrying Watson's propositions. More »

More about:  racism • James Watson

Human Genome Mapped, but DNA Still a Mystery

Genes more complex than scientists thought

Washington Post Washington Post Sep 4, 07 5:42 PM CDT
(Newser) - A new map of human DNA shows just how complex we really are – so much so that scientists can’t even pin down which genes are making our eyes blue. "I found out that I have [only] a high probability of having blue eyes," says azure-eyed biologist Craig Venter, whose genetic code is published in a new study. "We all thought that would be simple." More »

More about:  DNA • human genome • James Watson • genetic code • Craig Venter • J. Craig Venter Institute

Odile Crick
Dies at 86

Wife of Francis Crick first sketched the double helix structure of DNA

Washington Post Washington Post Jul 23, 07 4:25 AM CDT
(Newser) - Odile Crick, who made the first published sketch of double-helix structure of DNA, died July 5th in La Jolla, CA, at age 86.  She was the wife of Francis Crick, who together with James Watson discovered the structure of DNA.  Odile Crick's drawing first appeared with her husband's article in the April, 1953, issue of Nature . More »

More about:  obituary • DNA • James Watson • Nobel prize

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