James Watson, co-discoverer of the double-helix shape of DNA, has died at age 97

James D Watson whose co-discovery of the twisted-ladder structure of DNA in helped light the long fuse on a revolution in medicine crimefighting genealogy and ethics has died according to his former research lab He was The breakthrough made when the brash Chicago-born Watson was just turned him into a hallowed figure in the world of science for decades But near the end of his life he faced condemnation and professional censure for offensive remarks including saying Black people are less intelligent than white people Watson shared a Nobel Prize with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for discovering that deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA is a double helix consisting of two strands that coil around each other to create what resembles a long gently twisting ladder That realization was a breakthrough It instantly suggested how hereditary information is stored and how cells duplicate their DNA when they divide The duplication begins with the two strands of DNA pulling apart like a zipper Even among non-scientists the double helix would become an instantly recognized symbol of science showing up in such places as the work of Salvador Dali and a British postage stamp The discovery helped open the door to more latest developments such as tinkering with the genetic makeup of living things treating disorder by inserting genes into patients identifying human remains and criminal accused from DNA samples and tracing family trees But it has also raised a host of ethical questions such as whether we should be altering the body s blueprint for cosmetic reasons or in a way that is transmitted to a person s offspring Francis Crick and I made the discovery of the century that was pretty clear Watson once reported He later wrote There was no way we could have foreseen the explosive impact of the double helix on science and society