James Watson and his colleague, Francis Crick, discovered the double helix structure of DNA. Watson and Crick built a model that revealed that the structure of DNA is a spiral of two DNA strands coiled around each other (“Watson and Crick Discover Chemical Structure of DNA”). The double helix has a simple configuration resembling a twisting ladder. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Watson and Crick the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for their momentous discovery (“The Francis Crick Papers”). Watson and Crick’s discovery provides incredible understanding into the human genetic code.
Watson and Crick have influenced the world by revealing DNA’s role in genetic inheritance. Their DNA model showed that “the sequence of the bases in DNA forms a code by which genetic information can be stored and transmitted” (“The Francis Crick Papers”). This explains how a parent …show more content…
Genetically modified organisms created by genetic engineering began with Watson and Crick’s model of DNA. “Some benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are increased crop yields, reduced costs for food or drug production, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient composition and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, greater food security, and medical benefits to the world’s growing population” (Phillips). All of these advancements have allowed farmers to enjoy a larger and more profitable