Documentary on James Watson (on scientific advisory board of OMF)

New documentary explores the 'complexities and contradictions' of James Watson

PBS is premiering a new documentary tonight [2 Jan 2019] about James Watson, the scientist who won the Nobel Prize in 1962 for his role in the research that revealed the structure of DNA. Watson went on to serve as the first director of the Human Genome Project and founded Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. But in his later years, Watson began to spout offensive views. He was forced to leave his role as director of CSHL in 2007 after making racist remarks. In promotional materials, PBS says the film will explore Watson’s “signature achievements, complexities and contradictions, including his penchant for expressing unfiltered and objectionable points of view.”




Trailer


https://www.thirteen.org/programs/american-masters/american-masters-decoding-watson-trailer-qwnijt/


New York Times article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/01/science/watson-dna-genetics-race.html

 

I thought things were better than this

“If he knew African-Americans as colleagues at all levels, his present view would be impossible to sustain,’’ Dr. King said.

If that is the case, it may not bode well for combating prejudice in biomedical research, where African-Americans represent just 1.5 percent of grant applications to the N.I.H. Biases in hiring by medical school science departments are well documented.

 

And I thought Dr. Watson was better than that.

 

I knew he and Crick had stolen Rosalind Franklin's research photos to do their DNA work (she died early likely from her work in making them, and so wasn't considered to be eligible for the Nobel prize), but that was so long ago that I hoped things were better now.

 

Another article (from today) about Watson and his views:
https://www.statnews.com/2019/01/03...il&utm_term=0_8cab1d7961-7a5df9cf0c-130622217


On a related note - I am concerned that OMF chooses to associate with Watson.

 

I've never been enthused by Watson's involvement with OMF tbh, and I suspected... edit: thought I'd remove unfounded speculations.

 

I should probably keep my ill-informed speculations to myself.

Learn from Watson's mistakes!

 

Ron is an old student of Watsons, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Watson#Notable_former_students

 

I was aware that they had stolen Rosalind Franklin’s work, but thought they were otherwise decent people. Hmm, even my ME brain can see the problem with that statement.

 

https://mendelspod.com/blog/no-redemption-decoding-watson/

 

And yet she somehow figured out the three-dimensional shape of DNA. Hmmm.

 

He seems to be completely oblivious to the prejudices those with mental health issues can face from within their own family:

I don't mind him taking a pot-shot at Linus Pauling though, as I have had to listen to that vitamin C nonsense from well-meaning (I think) former friends when brain-storming (or whatever-it-is-they-have-between-their-ears-storming) suggestions for how to deal with my ME symptoms.

But Watson does seem to be a rather odious individual who should be confined to his lab, preferably gagged, to get on with whatever it is he's good at.

 

I don't know much about schizophrenia. My first thought was what it must be like for his son to hear that. It may be a perfectly reasonable opinion to have, and even to express privately, or after the son has died (which apparently he hasn't yet), but according to the linked tweets (if you click on the comment) Watson has said it publicly at genetics conferences. Seems rather insensitive towards his son.

 

I concur.

And I'd bet Watson repeating these statements in public forums only adds to his son's mental anguish.

Watson is basically twisting the psychological knife in his son.


ETA for clarity.

 

Reading those quotes is actually quite concerning. Brilliant scientist or not I’m not actually sure if I’m ok with supporting an organisation that has links to someone who’s expressed themselves like that, consistently.