1. What were your first impressions of the main characters? James Watson: He can be seen as someone who is quick to judge, somewhat condescending, yet intelligent, suave, and dedicated to his work. Francis Crick: He does the same research with Watson and they are both teammates. He is also eager to know what is in DNA and the relationship of it with the double-helix, but at the same time is disorganised, and expected Watson to do a majority of work. Rosalind Franklin: Seeing a woman as a scientist during this time is somewhat rare, so the fact that she has taken up this profession show that she is persistent, dedicated, and smart. The only problem is that she is undervalued because of her gender. She is also very quiet and reserved because she’s in a different country. Maurice Wilkins: This scientist is seen as somewhat sexist, because he does not believe in the potential of Rosalind’s scientific abilities. At the same time, he seemed to be dedicated to work, but Rosalind seems to do a majority of the work. 2. Compare the research approaches/ styles/ attitudes of Watson and Crick with those of Franklin. Franklin does independent research and is doubted by others because of her gender, but Wilkins does not like this approach and is trying to get rid of her. Watson and Crick work together and are considered more credible. 3. Do you think Franklin should have shared her information more freely with the others? Why or why not? No, I don’t think she should have shared her information more freely because the information she shared about the double helix structure was stolen by other scientists such as Watson and Crick. Even if it was originally hers, she got no credit by the scientific society. Under what circumst... ... middle of paper ... ...hich inherited traits, such as those for genetic disease, can be tracked over generations. Throughout out the course of human development, scientists will continue to find new new ways to help the human race through the discovery of the human gene inside of each of us, its uses, as well as complications, that can help the survival of our species. References (2014). Retrieved May 29, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/dna/timeline/ DNA Timeline: DNA Science from Mendel to Today. (2014). Retrieved May 29, 2014, from http://www.dnai.org/timeline/ History. (2014). Retrieved May 29, 2014, from http://homepage.smc.edu/hgp/history.htm A model approach. (2014). Retrieved May 29, 2014, from http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/dna_07 . (2014). Retrieved May 29, 2014, from http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/dna_double_helix/readmore.html
Sheila Kemp did an outstanding job in her short history of one of America’s most treasured -- arguably the most looked up to -- political heroes. Whether the Cockpit had as astounding an effect on Franklin’s political career, and the defining moment that pushed him on the path as an advocate for independence, is up for argument. Did Kemp adequately protect her position that Benjamin Franklin became a revolutionary after his incident at the Cockpit? The questions seem to be answerable morally, as well as historically. In truth, Kemp defended her position with as much armor as she could smith whilst writing her definingly short biography, but sometimes lost her argument in the midst of a flood of historical information.
What is the most important scientist in human history? Some people many instantly think of Albert Einstein who is famous for his work with the theory of relativity. Or of Isaac Newton who came up with the theory of gravity. Few will think of Marie Currie for her work with radioactivity or of Rosaline Franklin who discovered that DNA was shaped in a double healix. These women’s work are immensely important. Without their work in the field we would know significantly less about radioactivity and the structure of DNA. Since these women’s work drastically changed and improved science then why aren’t more girls choosing career paths in STEM fields?
With a competitive spirit, people are driven to act in ways that they would not otherwise and the results can be drastic. In the case of James D. Watson and Francis Crick, in Watson’s novel the Double Helix, this sensation of competition leads to one of the greatest discoveries in biology. But the actions of Watson, Crick, and their competitors may or may not be justified for the results that they yield; the powerful conflict of rivalry has beneficial, detrimental, and questionably moral consequences that shaped the pathway to DNA’s structure.
In his novel, Cantor's Dilemma, Dr. Djerassi uses female characters to address sexist issues arising from women integrating into the predominantly male science world. The characters, Celestine Price and Professor Arderly, are used to show examples of how women have little voice in the field of science. The female characters suggest how women are often looked upon as sex objects rather than co-workers and they are given little opportunity to balance a scientific career with raising a family. By weaving these issues into his novel, Dr. Djerassi illustrates the following theme: Discrimination against women in the field of science is harmful to the progression of scientific exploration. If women are excluded from science, then an artificial limit is put on human resources. (The field of science will not utilize the potential female minds available.)
This hierarchy is based on characteristics such as institutional prestige, social class, gender, publications, and in some instances personality traits. This hierarchy is antithetical to the Mertonian norm of universalism, that calls for all scientific claims to be subjected to the pre-established personal criteria regardless of their source. Watson’s treatment of Rosalind is the most egregious divergence from universalism. In his first description of her, he comments on her looks stating that she “did not emphasize her feminine qualities,” and also stated “if she could only keep her emotions under control” that she would have been a big help to Maurice. This blatant sexism, and focus on her perceived lack of femininity, haunts Rosalind (who they call Rosey as opposed to her full name to spite her) throughout The Double Helix. She is continually characterised as hypersensitive and overly erratic. Only in the epilogue does Watson admit to his faults in the way he and others treated her. He states “realizing only years too late the struggle an intelligent woman faces to be accepted by a scientific world which often regards women as mere diversions from serious thinking.” This mindset placed Rosalind at the bottom of this culturally constructed hierarchy, despite the fact that her intellect, qualifications, and skill far surmounted that of the “assistant” position that Maurice tried to force her into. As a result of this unfair characterization, Watson did not take her work and criticisms seriously, and thought them to be emotional attacks rather than the reasoned scientific critiques they were. The opposite can be said for a person like Linus Pauling. Due to his status as a charismatic white male with several publications under his belt, he was much more likely to be taken seriously than others around him. Watson mused that “even if he were
One of the first controversial scientists was Roger Bacon. He was one of the first scientists to believe that scientific ideas needed to be tested. The general acceptance of the time was to believe what the church told the people, whether or not the ideas had been tested. Bacon was often controversial not because he simply believed that ideas needed to be tested but because he took joy in telling others that they were wrong, often in not the nicest of ways. “Phrases like “damned fools,” “ignorant asses,” “inept buffoons,” and “miserable idiots” pepper
The rarely known astronomer, Henrietta Leavitt made the discovery of the period-lumination relationship as well as a guideline for measuring the magnitude of stars. Although, these discoveries were monumental in the field of astronomy and became the foundations for many other discoveries, she is almost unknown, like many prominent women in the field of astronomy. This is because science, as both a study as well as a profession, is male dominated and women are not seen as equals or qualified to be in such work. In Leavitt's lifetime, she experienced this sexism in her post-graduate career along with her two major discoveries.
The Double Helix by James Watson is his personal reflection on discovering the structure of the DNA molecule. With contributions of other scientists, James Watson and Francis Crick were able to solve the structure of DNA. Through contributions and integral relationships of Watson and Crick to Maurice Wilkins, Rosalind Franklin, Linus Pauling, and other smaller contributors the DNA structure was finally solved.
She has received the Bruce Medal, Dickson Prize, gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, and National Medal of Science awards. Vera Rubin and other scientists that have been written off in history, show that science is science, and a person's race, gender, or even sexual preference should not have an impact on their discoveries and work, especially if it's scientifically proven right. Both Rosalind Franklin and Vera Rubin did not let others opinions prevent them from being successful and enjoying their work, would
The 17th and 18th centuries saw the embryonic stage of women’s quest for intellectual and social parity with men. The evolution of women’s fight for equal opportunities was bogged down by a long history of stereotyping and condescension. Women were weaker physically, bore children and nurtured them. The economics and culture of Europe at this time was strongly influenced by religion and resulted in prejudice against women. The dominating religions of Europe in the 1600’s and 1700’s (Catholicism and Protestantism), citing the bible, reinforced women’s roles as mother’s, wives, and homemakers. Women were considered the weaker sex both physically and mentally. Men and most women assumed that because women gave birth and produced milk for their infants, God intended that their place was in the home. Men’s egos, as well, did not allow for women to compete with them. Males thought their place was to rule, fight wars, provide income, teach and be the head of his family. Women were not accepted in academics, politics, church leadership, business, or the military. Despite these prejudices, women saw an opportunity in the sciences. As a discipline based on observations and deductive reasoning it did not necessarily require a comprehensive academic background. Since most women were deprived of the more advanced education that men received, it was the perfect field for them to begin their pursuit of equality. As a result, a growing number of women actively participated in scientific research in chemistry, astronomy, biology, botany, medicine, and entomology.
Female scientists such as Maria Merian and Marquise Emilie du Chatelet had an impact on western science, demonstrating how women were capable of contributing to the sciences despite society’s opinions. Merian published her book Wonderful Metamorphoses and Special Nourishment of Caterpillars during a time when women were criticized for publishing books and demonstrates how society was not able to completely repress women in science (Doc 5). Marquise Emmilie du Chatelet’s letter to the Marquis Jean Francois de Saint-Lambert also demonstrates how women refused to be repressed by society. She refuted his reproach of her translating Newton’s Principia, a translation so thorough it is still used today (Doc 11). Some men in the sciences also gained a respect for women and their contributions. Not all men at the time believed women were incapable of learning at a university level like Junker did. Gottfried Leibniz, a German mathematician, even went as far as to state “women of elevated mind advanced knowledge more properly than do men.” As a philosopher Leibniz likely thought beyond society’s opinions, which is why he did not conform (Doc 7). Johannes Hevelius and Gottfried Krich disregarded the notion that collaborating with women was seen as embarrassing, and both collaborated with their wives (Doc 4 and Doc
Rosalind Franklin was a very hard working lady, she was an English chemist and a X-ray crystallographer. She would do anything to find how DNA looked and how DNA worked. Apparently nobody knew how it worked or looked so she was going to try to discover how. When they discovered that Rosalind Franklin was a woman trying to figure out DNA they laughed and picked at her. Franklin was definitely a lone wolf she didn't have that many friends considering everyone thought she was crazy. She wasn’t accepted as much because the men expected that women should only be housewives back then. She was invited to a party that the men, Watson,Crick, and Wilkins, had threw. She was also was accepted when she started hanging out with Wilkins. Franklin was educated at a private day school at Norland Place in England. Franklin passed her matriculation at age
One example of this ongoing subjective style can be seen in Watson's writing on women, particularly in his dealings with Rosalind Franklin. The fact that Watson believes that all women are good for is pleasure and keeping house can be seen in the word choice and style of several passages throughout The Double Helix. These passages' subjects include Rosalind Franklin's appearance, appeal, and acceptance of the double helix model and concept.
When most people think of the Scientific Revolution, they think of scientists such as Galileo, Newton, Brahe, and Boyle. However, many people do not even know about the many women who played a vital role in the scientific advancements of this period. Even when these women were alive, most of society either ignored them or publicly disapproved their unladylike behavior. Because of this, these women were often forgotten from history, and very little is known about the majority of them. Although their names rarely appear in history books, the female scientists of the Scientific Revolution still impacted the world of science in several ways. In fact, all of the scientists listed above had a woman playing an influential role assisting them in their research. However, assisting men in their studies was not the only role open to women; several women performed experimentation and research on their own, or advancing science in some other way, even though the society of the time looked down upon and even resisted their studies.
Simply put, DNA contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive, and reproduce. The discovery and use of DNA has seen many changes and made great progress over many years. James Watson was a pioneer molecular biologist who is credited, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, with discovering the double helix structure of the DNA molecule. The three won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1962 for their work (Bagley, 2013). Scientists use the term “double helix” to describe DNA’s winding, two-stranded chemical structure.