DNA pioneer's IQ remarks backed
Sunday, 21 Oct 2007 10:21
Professor Watson has been suspended by his research institute for his comments
Science In Focus
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A leading British scientist has come to the defence of Dr James Watson, who recently said that Africans had lower intelligence than Western races.
Former chief executive of the medical research council Colin Blakemore told the Sunday Times that the Science Museum's cancellation of an event where the Noble prize winner was scheduled to speak was unacceptable.
He told the paper that Dr Watson, who received the field's top prize for his work on DNA, had controversial views but also had the right to defend them in public.
He added: "It's outrageous to ban someone based on newspaper reports of their views. Jim Watson is well known for being provocative and politically incorrect. But it would be a sad world if such a distinguished scientist was silenced because of his more unpalatable views."
Blakemore stated that further research was required on genetic differences that existed between different groups while criticising his fellow professional's interpretation of the tests as being too simplistic.
On Friday, James Watson was suspended by Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory over his comments to the Sunday Times newspaper last week.
Dr Watson had told the Sunday Times that he was "inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa" because "all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours – whereas all the testing says not really".
He said that it was his hope that everyone was equal, but added that "people who have to deal with black employees find this is not true".
Speaking to the Independent a few days later, the American scientist apologised to those offended by his views but warned of the danger of beliefs that were not based on science.
While explaining his views to the Independent, he said: "The overwhelming desire of society today is to assume that equal powers of reason are a universal heritage of humanity.
"It may well be. But simply wanting this to be the case is not enough. This is not science. To question this is not to give in to racism.
"This is not a discussion about superiority or inferiority, it is about seeking to understand differences, about why some of us are great musicians and others great engineers."