An American scientist, James Watson, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962 along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for their discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA, has died at the age of 97.
This significant discovery, made by Watson at the age of 24, secured his place in the history of science. The discovery of the DNA structure—which explains how the cell stores genetic information—paved the way for the development of disciplines such as genetic engineering, gene therapy, and other advances in modern medicine. Furthermore, the double helix became a universally recognized emblem of science.
Today, based on Watson’s discovery, DNA analysis is used to identify individuals and determine family genetic history.
However, this revolutionary achievement has also sparked ethical debates regarding intervention in the human genetic structure—specifically, the acceptability of making genetic changes for cosmetic purposes or implementing changes that would be inherited by future generations.
