American Nobel laureate is ready to support Russian scientists

American biologist James Watson, Nobel laureate of 1962 of the year, who discovered the double helix of DNA, said he was ready to support young talented scientists from Russia and China.

“Now there are a lot of talented young people from Russia and China. I want to maintain this level, I want to support their aspirations,” Watson said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel. He explained that he plans to direct the money received from the sale of the medal not to research, but to specific institutions, especially those that provided the scientist with scholarships and grants when he was young.

“I’m 87 years old, and I still want to see how the drugs (for cancer) really start to help,” the Nobel laureate added.

Selling medals

In 2014, Watson decided to sell his Nobel medal in order to use part of the money himself, and give part to various universities and scientific institutes to finance scientific research. In December 2014, the medal was sold at Christie's for $4,8 million. It was bought by Russian businessman Usmanov, who announced his intention to return the award to the owner.

James Watson won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1962, along with colleagues Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins. The award was awarded for the discovery of the spatial structure of DNA.

In recent years, he has been searching for effective methods of treating cancer.