The discovery of the double helix sounded the death knell f… - James Watson

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The discovery of the double helix sounded the death knell for vitalism. Serious scientists, even those religiously inclined, realized that a complete understanding of life would not require the revelation of new laws of nature. Life was just a matter of physics and chemistry, albeit exquisitely organized physics and chemistry. The immediate task ahead would be to figure out how the DNA-encoded script of life went about its work.

James Watson

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About James Watson

James Dewey Watson (April 6, 1928 – November 6, 2025) was an American scientist, most known as one of the four discoverers of the structure of the DNA molecule.

Also Known As

Pen Names: el Caligula de la biología

Birth Name: James Dewey Watson

Alternative Names: James D. Watson • Jim Watson • J. D. Watson

All quotes from James Watson Similar Quotes by other Originators

Originators like James Watson:

Matt Ridley Richard Dawkins Edward O. Wilson Stephen Jay Gould Michael Crichton

Additional quotes by James Watson

There is only one science, physics: everything else is social work.

I just can’t sit while people are saying nonsense in a meeting without saying it’s nonsense.

I've seen no evidence of a god, so I'm not going to think about one. Being raised nonreligious made you free. You could look at the evidence. Whether being nonreligious or a Democrat was more important, I can't tell you.

The discovery of the double helix sounded the death knell for vitalism. Serious scientists, even those religiously inclined, realized that a complete… - James Watson

About James Watson

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Additional quotes by James Watson