James Watson, the renowned scientist who co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA, has died at the age of 97. His passing was confirmed by the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he spent a significant portion of his career. Watson died on Thursday while in hospice care on Long Island, New York. Watson’s groundbreaking work alongside Francis Crick in 1953 revolutionized the field of molecular biology, earning them the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962. Their discovery laid the foundation for modern genetics and biotechnology, cementing Watson’s legacy as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. However, Watson’s later years were marred by controversy due to his repeated racist remarks, which led to widespread criticism and the revocation of several honors. Despite this, his contributions to science remain monumental. The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory acknowledged his scientific achievements while distancing itself from his personal views, stating that his work ‘transformed our understanding of life itself.’ Watson’s death marks the end of an era for the scientific community, as the world reflects on his complex legacy of groundbreaking discovery and personal controversy.