GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist has written a blog about science since 4 August 2004 (the early years are archived 
I have been following this furor over Nobel laureate Jim Watson's comments about blacks, women and homosexuals and I am astonished that he would walk around, openly spouting such stupid and irrational prejudices when his beliefs are easily disproven scientifically! Has he read anything in the scientific literature that has been published since he won his Nobel in 1962? I would guess not, since he is woefully and inexcusably ignorant.
In view of his fresh onslaught of unabashed racism, sexism and homophobia (this isn't the first time he has openly blasted anyone who is not a priviledged white male), I applaud the Science Museum's cancelation of his upcoming presentation where Watson was scheduled to promote his latest book. If Watson wants to be a hate-filled, narrow-minded and arrogant jackass, that's fine, but he can do it on his own time and dime.
The Science Museum has cancelled a talk by American DNA pioneer Dr James Watson after he claimed black people were less intelligent than white people.
Dr Watson, who won a Nobel Prize in 1962 for his part in discovering the structure of DNA, was due to speak at the venue on Friday.
But the museum has cancelled the event, saying his views went "beyond the point of acceptable debate".
Skills Minister David Lammy said Dr Watson's views "were deeply offensive". [story]
It's scientists like Watson who make me ashamed to be a scientist.
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Hey, Watson shouldn't make you ashamed to be a scientist! He should be ashamed to call himself a scientist. If you're really getting into the "representative of science" gig, you could be ashamed for him, but you've got nothing to be ashamed of for yourself!
Posted by: David Harmon | October 18, 2007 6:23 PM
well, yeah, i guess so, except i can't find a job (that's really lamentable, at the very least).
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | October 18, 2007 10:50 PM
On Watson; just because someone is intelligent doesn't stop them saying very stupid and ill founded remarks, even within an area they should know about.
Even those called scientists can be totally ignorant about how their beliefs affect how they view the data and how they ignore data that doesn't match their pre-conceived ideas.
The fact that you can't find a research post or another position is no mark against you, especially given the current job market.
Posted by: Chris' Wills | October 19, 2007 5:39 AM
I, like you, cannot figure out why you have not been able to get some type of employment. Your network skills are great and you certainly show how smart and passionate you are in the sciences. I wish I ran a university!!
Posted by: Tabor | October 19, 2007 6:59 AM
Did you see this?
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/science-&-technology/scientists-are-'arrogant-pricks',-claim-africans-20071019478/
Posted by: a little night musing | October 19, 2007 8:22 AM
Watson replies to the criticism http://comment.independent.co.uk/commentators/article3075642.ece
Though he doesn't mention why he was quoted as saying some of the pernicious things he is quoted as saying.
Posted by: Chris' Wills | October 19, 2007 12:12 PM
according to what i've read and what i know about him, i think watson believes that he was "just joking". he apparently views himself as quite the intellectual maverick, poking society in the eye with his contrarian opinions and witty repartee and all that.
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | October 19, 2007 1:01 PM