The Double Helix

How is science used and described in The Double Helix?

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While the theme of scientific discovery may seem obvious in a book about just that, the topic is somewhat clouded by the saucy manner in which it is described. Nonetheless, Watson's account is foremost a celebration of science, an earnest recognition of its possibilities in spite of naysayers who often warn against the results of research that overstep certain boundaries. While The Double Helix does not address this concern at length, one need only read later material written by Watson to understand his mission, then and now, to keep science moving forward. In a Time article entitled "The Double Helix Revisited," Watson discusses his work with the Human Genome Project (which normally brings "cloning" to mind for the general public), saying that "no other big science project ... has been carried out with such zeal for the common good." Citing possibilities for cures for diseases that are often hereditary, such as cancer and Alzheimer's, Watson's zest for supporting research is unmistakable, and the obvious force behind his discovery of the structure of DNA.

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