Pros And Cons Of The Race For The Double Helix

In science, genes and how they reproduce was one of the greatest mysteries. That was until February 28th, 1953 when scientists James Watson, Francis Crick, Rosalind Franklin, Raymond Gosling, and Maurice Wilkins made breakthroughs in the discovery the double helix structure of DNA. The story of their fame and success is portrayed in the movie The Race for the Double Helix. In this film, the scientists use two different techniques in their research of DNA. In the end, the double helix is discovered when Watson and Crick read a thesis that was written by Franklin. The thesis was written after Franklin had studied X-ray photographs of genes. Watson and Crick used a detail in the thesis over-looked by both Franklin and Maurice to complete a scientifically
Many different scientists compete to discover the same thing, the winner receiving the fame and accolades. However, scientific exploration should not be this way. Instead of competing with one another, scientists should instead collaborate on similar issues for more effective and efficient innovations in science. In such an intellectual race, many pros and cons arise. One benefit is that discoveries and solutions are found sooner due to the vast rewards for being the first to succeed. In certain cases, such as finding a treatment or cure for an illness, this can help save thousands of people. Also, the race may encourage other people to pursue a career in the scientific field or to submit their findings. “Winning” the race for a discovery can provide people with the money and recognition they need to be successful as they advance in their research. Finally, a race could yield more accurate data. Since expectations for an answer are high, it would force scientists to gather research from more reliable sources and the information would have to be backed by solid evidence, which could lead to a lower risk of scientific error. Despite all of these benefits, there are many disadvantages to scientific races. The reward that comes with winning the race may discourage scientists from working together. This is shown in the film, as Franklin refuses to work with Watson and Crick due to the race to discover the double helix. If scientific exploration were not a race, she may have been more open to collaborating with them in their research. In a similar argument, the greed the reward of a race creates may drive some scientists to do immoral and illegal things, such as plagiarism or stealing information from other scientists. Finally, a race can cause scientists to rush their work, which may lead to inaccuracies. In The Race for the Double Helix, Watson and Crick were so eager to submit