The Double Helix Page 2

Written by Michael Black

By showing his more personal side and not focusing on scientific jargon, Watson allows the reader to view him as more of a detective collecting clues rather than a scientist collecting data. "I went ahead spending most evenings at the films, vaguely dreaming that any moment the answer would suddenly hit me," Watson said, as if research played no part in the discovery (114). In fact, Watson rarely speaks of breakthrough research that he is doing, rather talking about other people's research and how he interprets it. It seems that Watson would have to make more profound advancements in order to be a key figure in such a major finding as the double helix. On the other hand, this likely gives us insight to how many other scientific processes occur; science is a slow process that involves many people and deals with small advancements towards a larger goal. It is almost as if Watson is strategically realigning already existing pieces to a puzzle, but like many science processes it was not a straightforward path. Watson and Crick often had to scrap solid material because of false presumptions, as Watson accounts, "My scheme was torn to shreds by the following noon" (120). It was a process of building, tearing down, and building again.

While their achievements are undoubtedly profound, clearly Watson and Crick could not have accomplished the model of the double helix on their own. "The Double Helix" was "a matter of five" (at the least) rather than just two (14). Throughout the story, Watson directly and indirectly comments on the importance of teamwork…and lack there of. Watson was continually gathering information from other researchers. Seeing Maurice Wilkins' DNA X-ray research was instrumental, lectures and meetings with other researchers were common place, and of course the main partnership between Watson and Crick was of supreme importance. One of the most important passages on relations with other researchers comes near the end of the story once Watson and Crick have completed their final model. Wilson figured that Wilkins would be bitter at their success when he came to look at their model, "But there was no trace of resentment on his face, and in his subdued way he was thoroughly excited that the structure would prove of great benefit to biology" (134). This shows that although competition was fierce, many scientists are in it for reasons other than personal gratification and share a common goal. Of course there was plenty of questionable ethics stirring as well. While scientists are usually open to sharing information in pursuit of a common goal, Watson says that, "The point had been reached where Rosy would not even tell Maurice her latest results" (43). In fact, even Watson admits to questionable play, stating, "Rosy, of course, did not directly give us her data. For the matter, no one at King's realized they were in our hands" (114). In "The Double Helix" it is easy to see how the relationship between researchers is a key part of the scientific process and how bad relationships can have a negative effect upon, and even jeopardize an experiment.

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