DNA Pioneer Watson Accused of Racism?

**dr wu23** · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 2294 Location: Indiana

You really have to be careful how you say something these days with all the PC stuff going on.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7052416.stm
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**Skeptical** · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, Doc, it sounds like Watson stuck his foot in it big-time. The heck of it is, the world would never have heard or thought twice about his comments if the media hadn't jumped on it, held it up for everyone to see, and screamed, "Hey isn't this awful?"

Truth is, Watson's not an ogre and I doubt he's a racist. I think he's just an old man who did some wonderful work in his day but was not immune to the prejudices of his era.

S
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Ataraxik · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:07 pm Post subject:

Watson said he was citing research and data concerning intellectual functioning across races, research he said shows lower intelligence on average for blacks. Therefore, the media should have immediately reviewed the cited research and data for scientific efficacy rather than immediately playing the racist angle, a play which is always good for circulation. If the research is good, all they've done is shoot the messenger, and achieved the goal of higher ratings, which means more money, of course. If that's the way it turns out, who then is the party guilty of moral turpitude?

The answer lies with the cited research. It is good or it is not, simple as that. Five bucks says we'll never learn of it via the media, who never let the truth get in the way of a good, money-making, PC lynching.
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