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DNA

DNA

HistoryScience
Pages
467
Published
2003
Language
English

Synopsis

The Nobel Prize-winning co-discoverer of the structure of DNA and author of the international bestseller The Double Helix, tells the story of our understanding of the amazing molecule since its discovery 50 years ago.James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA and author of the international bestseller The Double Helix, tells the story of the amazing molecule since its discovery fifty years ago, following modern genetics from his own Nobel prize-winning work in the fifties to today's Dolly the sheep, designer babies and GM foods. Professor Watson introduces the science of modern genetics, along with its history and its implications, in this magnificent guide to one of the most triumphant achievements of human science.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

InformativeIntellectualThought-Provoking

Genres

History Science

About the author

J
James D. Watson

Watson, James Dewey, 1928-, American biologist and educator, b. Chicago, Ill., grad. Univ. of Chicago, 1947, Ph.D. Univ. of Indiana, 1950. With F. H. C. Crick he began (1951) research on the molecular structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge. Their findings, published in 1953, resulted in the joint award to them and to M. H. F. Wilkins (on whose laboratory's in X-ray diffraction their studies were partly based) of the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Med...

Frequently asked questions

  • Is DNA by James D. Watson a memoir or a scientific explanation?

    This book blends personal recollections of the discovery of DNA's structure with a broader scientific explanation of genetics. Watson offers insights into the historical context and the scientific process, making it both a historical account and an accessible guide to the field.

  • Does this book discuss the ethical implications of genetic science?

    Watson addresses the ethical considerations arising from genetic advancements, including topics like designer babies and genetically modified foods. He explores the societal impact and moral dilemmas associated with these scientific developments.

  • How does this book relate to Watson's earlier work, The Double Helix?

    While The Double Helix focuses specifically on the race to discover the structure of DNA, this book expands on that foundation. It covers the initial discovery and then extends to modern genetic advancements and their broader implications, offering a more comprehensive view of the field.