Scientific Racism Redux: James Watson Nobel Prize Winner
Dr. James Watson, who received the Nobel Prize, in 1962, for being the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, has become embroiled in a nasty racial controversy because of remarks he made. The British Broadcasting Network, BBC, reports that Watson told the London Sunday Times that "all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours - whereas all the testing says not really". He went on to say he hoped everyone was equal but that "people who have to deal with black employees find this is not true".
The British Science Museum has cancelled a speech that Watson was scheduled to deliver there on Friday, October, 19th. The Museum spokesperson explained the cancellation by noting that "It is a shame that a man with a record of scientific distinction should see his work overshadowed by his own irrational prejudices...We know that eminent scientists can sometimes say things that cause controversy and the Science Museum does not shy away from debating controversial topics. However, we feel Dr Watson has gone beyond the point of acceptable debate and we are, as a result, cancelling his talk."
