A passion for DNA

`A Passion for DNA : Genes , Genomes , and Society No one then had any compelling reason to take my hypothesis seriously but by November 1952 I liked it well enough to print DNA (R ) RNA (R protein on a small piece of that I taped on the wall above my writing table in my rooms at Clare College . From the day of our first meeting , Francis Crick and I thought it highly likely that the genetic information of DNA is conveyed by the sequence of its four bases . But we knew it was premature

to promote this idea before the structure of DNA was known . However , the moment we first saw how to build a double helix out of the four base pairs , it was clear that the essential uniqueness of a gene must reside in its respective sequence of four bases

So wrote James D . Watson in his book , A Passion for DNA : Genes Genomes , and Society . In this work , told with refreshing honesty , is the human story of how Watson and Francis Crick won a Nobel Prize for what may be the most important advance in the life sciences since Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species

In this collection of essays (written for a variety of occasions during the past three decades , Watson discusses the science and sociology of several issues - foremost are recombinant DNA , the nature of cancer research , the past , present , and future of DNA the Human Genome Project and its bioethical problems . The book starts with an autobiographical discussion of the events in Watson 's life that preceded his discovery of the double helix . He then describes his scientific mentors collaborators and rivals , as well as his philosophy on science (Watson 's advice for budding scientists : learn from the winners , take risks , have a fallback , have fun and stay connected

In 1953 , two young , unknown scientists sparked a worldwide revolution Studying DNA for clues to the nature of genes , James Watson and Francis Crick deduced its molecular composition - two chains twisted into a double helix - and immediately realized that the structure implied how genes were copied and passed from one generation to the next

Their observation has had extraordinary consequences : the discovery of a genetic code that all living things share and the realization that the code translates into proteins the ability to alter an organism 's genetic make-up recognition that diseases like cancer begin when genes go wrong the foundations of a biotechnology industry and the means of cloning plants and animals a start on cataloguing human genes and the glimmer of a new kind of medicine that uses DNA therapeutically

As public concern about genetically modified food mounts , here is Watson 's salutary reminder , from a previous era of DNA anxiety , that restrictions on potentially rewarding research are justifiable only if there is robust evidence of likely harm . Commenting on the 1970s War on Cancer , he warns that effective leadership of publicly funded research initiatives , such as the current search for an AIDS vaccine , demands the courage to support promising but risky new ideas and prune away anything less than the best . And as the first Director of the Human Genome Project , now approaching its climax , he acknowledges the past evils of eugenics but argues fiercely for the need to balance potential misuses of genetic data with the overwhelming benefits of a rational attack on the roots of disease

In an essay on cancer research and the "war on cancer " Watson tells us that to win wars one must know the enemy and the location of the battlefield . When Richard Nixon declared a war on cancer , this information was not yet available . The discovery and elucidation of the action of oncogenes and of cancer viruses were pivotal for understanding the terrain , planning the strategy , and pursuing the war . Watson provides numerous examples to stress the necessity of research in the basic sciences for developing successful therapies against cancer

Watson 's recipes for success are basically as follows : success tends to beget success , and therefore you should learn from winners by associating yourself with the very talented take risks , but be sure to have a fallback and have fun and stay connected . Over and over again the reader learns about the value of mentorship , scientific patronage and luck (which Watson argues , as did Pasteur "favors the prepared In recounting the contributions of the Watson laboratory to the growth of molecular biology after The Double Helix (or "What have you done lately , the author describes his seminal contributions to our knowledge of the structure of ribosome , messenger RNA , protein synthesis , and the regulation of genetic expression . Only in passing does he note that after 1962 , few s from his laboratory bore his name rather than only the names of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who did the work . This actually represents an incredible act of generosity rarely , if ever , seen in today 's competitive publish-or-perish academic world

Watson recalls the angst of the scientific community when it confronted the question of the safety and ethics of working with recombinant DNA and the resolve of the scientists at the Asilomar meeting in 1975 to declare a moratorium on this research until guidelines could be established . Watson is certainly correct in his assessment , based on today 's record , that this moratorium was probably a waste of time and a needless blow to the momentum of science . However , he discounts the important message about the social responsibility of scientists that this voluntary moratorium transmitted to the public

When addressing the problems of the "post-genomic age " James D . Watson is quick to point out the shameful story of eugenics in the United States , particularly at his own institution , the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory , and in Germany . He suggests that whereas we in the United States have learned the lessons taught by the brutality and moral corruption of eugenics , Germany still has a way to go in accepting and acknowledging its past . In Watson 's view , the spirit and path of science must be guided by the safeguards of investigation and discussion : we must now consider the ethical problems that will arise from the success of the Human Genome Project

Watson 's position as regards to Human Genome Project is the best expressed by his following statement in his book : Our genomes , thus can never accurately predict our futures . But we would be more than silly if we did not use their information to the fullest . The human genetic script that we are now finalizing will be regarded as the most important book ever to be read

Watson is flamboyant and outspoken , and readers may find themselves challenging his arguments . But in truth , Watson is merely a provocateur - whether you agree or disagree with his views is not of paramount importance . What is important is that this book brings to our attention the complex social issues associated with molecular biology . This book is valuable for those who wish to understand the ethical basis for the use of molecular biology in medicine . Today 's medical students may one day have the unprecedented ability to control a child 's genetic destiny - we owe it to society to consider the issue sooner rather than later Dr . Watson 's book is a scientifically insightful and humanistic compassionate work deserving of attention ...