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.
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DNA was my only gold rush. I regarded DNA as worth a gold rush.
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Science has always been my preoccupation and when you think a breakthrough is possible, it is terribly exciting.
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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
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