DNA Scientist Apologizes for Race Remarks
Nobel-winning scientist James Watson, half of the DNA-pioneering team Watson and Crick, is undergoing a firestorm of criticism for recent comments he made in London's Sunday Times about how he was "inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa" because "all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours -- whereas all the testing says not really."
Nobel-winning scientist James Watson, half of the DNA-pioneering team Watson and Crick, is undergoing a firestorm of criticism for recent comments he made in London’s Sunday Times about how he was “inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa” because “all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours — whereas all the testing says not really.”
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Prof Watson’s statement did not clarify what his views on the issue of race and intelligence are, but he hinted that he had been misquoted.
“I cannot understand how I could have said what I am quoted as having said,” the statement said.
The professor had been due to speak at the Science museum in London tomorrow, but its directors called off the event last night after his comments were made public.
A spokesman said Prof Watson had “gone beyond the point of acceptable debate”.
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