Rosalind Franklin and the double helix

Essay by twistedsilverdaggerJunior High, 7th gradeB+, March 2008

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Dark Lady or Slippery GentlemanDNA is indeed the secret of life, were we can understand the real way the body begins. Yet this great discovery we have achieved cannot have been possible without James Watson and Francis Crick of the Cavendish lab yet some people believe there is a missing person to this world changing puzzle.

The third piece of the puzzle was a young Woman by the name of Rosalind Franklin; she was given the job of reviving the institutions work on DNA. Indeed it was rare to see a woman in a lab but she was a prestigious woman who always stood by the rules of her life but maybe this is was kept her back maybe if she looked out side the square she would’ve discovered the double helix. Rosalind was stubborn and did not wish to share to her findings with her rival James Watson who in his book The double helix calls her ‘Rosy’ but if they were such good friends why would he look at her findings without her knowledge.

The double helix was discovered when Watson saw the picture Rosalind had taken, but he says he never stole it and that all research belongs to the sponsor, he goes on to say that ‘the X-ray work she did at kings is increasingly regarded as superb’ yet are these the words of the man who accused her being the Dark Lady of DNA and forgot to even mention her name whilst receiving a noble prize.

Rosalind soon changed and started a new topic but was struck with a cancer that took her life short at thirty seven years. Now 50 years after the double helix discovery many thoughts and accusations have passed but does it matter now that’s she’s gone?Even though she left with nothing she left this world with great strength and a new outlook, there is now a prize in the name of her called the Rosalind Franklin for the recognition she deserves!The secret of life is now open to the world, it has given more rights to women in the world, and it has recognised young scientists and shown justice at its best. Maybe it is best to step away from what has passed and turned to what the future holds and the many discoveries which lay ahead.

By Theresa Tezengi