No one may have the guts to say this, but if we could make better human beings by knowing how to add genes, why shouldn't we?
James D. WatsonRead
At lunch Francis [Crick] winged into the Eagle to tell everyone within hearing distance that we had found the secret of life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote celebrates the discovery of the fundamental essence of life, highlighting a significant scientific breakthrough.
James D. Watson's quote reflects the excitement and significance of a monumental discovery in biology: the structure of DNA, which is often referred to as the 'secret of life.' This discovery not only revolutionized our understanding of genetics but also underscored the collaborative nature of scientific inquiry, as Watson shares this momentous news with his colleagues with enthusiasm.
Themes
ScienceDiscoveryDnaLifeGenetics
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about scientific breakthroughs, one could quote this to highlight a pivotal moment in understanding life.
More from James D. Watson
All quotes βI think the reason people are dealing with science less well now than 50 years ago is that it has become so complicated.
James D. WatsonRead
Polls consistently show that the majority of Americans favour research using embryonic stem cells and yet politicians continue to pander to the outspoken religious minority that is hampering efforts to develop this potentially valuable technology.
James D. WatsonRead
DNA was my only gold rush. I regarded DNA as worth a gold rush.
James D. WatsonRead
Science has always been my preoccupation and when you think a breakthrough is possible, it is terribly exciting.
James D. WatsonRead
If you go into science, I think you better go in with a dream that maybe you, too, will get a Nobel Prize. It's not that I went in and I thought I was very bright and I was going to get one, but I'll confess, you know, I knew what it was.
James D. WatsonRead
Similar quotes
No human investigation can be called real science if it cannot be demonstrated mathematically.
Leonardo Da VinciRead
There is always the danger in scientific work that some word or phrase will be used by different authors to express so many ideas and surmises that, unless redefined, it loses all real significance.
Gilbert N. LewisRead
Armstrong described the lunar surface as 'beautiful.' I thought to myself, 'It's not really beautiful. It's magnificent that we're here, but what a desolate place we are visiting.'
Buzz AldrinRead
There are as many species as the infinite being created diverse forms in the beginning, which, following the laws of generation, produced many others, but always similar to them: therefore there are as many species as we have different structures before us today.
Carl LinnaeusRead
Scientific truth is too beautiful to be sacrificed for the sake of light entertainment or money. Astrology is an aesthetic affront. It cheapens astronomy, like using Beethoven for commercial jingles.
Richard DawkinsRead
When we think about global warming at all, the arguments tend to be ideological, theological and economic.
Bill MckibbenRead