James Watson, current chancellor of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, shared the Nobel Prize in 1962 for his contributions leading to the discovery of DNA structure. I guess his expertise in molecular biology and genetics has also provided him with a unique insight into the relationship between intelligence and race.

Referring to a recent interview, The Times UK reports that Dr. Watson suggested he is pessimistic about the “prospect of Africa” (a little vague, conceptually, but I assume he meant the continent’s growth trajectory and future) since the policies of the west, and other countries providing aid to African nations, assume that the people of Africa (read: black people) are as intelligent as we are. Now, this statement could be referring to a lot of things, including educational opportunities, specialized training in economics or industry, or even the performance on standardized tests (suggested by some researchers to be socially biased against students of color.)

But to make sure that we all understood what he meant, he continued speaking and clarified his position by stating that while he hoped everyone was equal, “people who have to deal with black employees find this not true.” After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I was reminded that this was the same man who has mentioned that sex drive is related to skin color (i.e. Latino or black individuals have a higher libido), has made homophobic statements, and has repeatedly demonstrated his lack of respect for women. Therefore, why should unfounded, racist statements taken straight from The Bell Curve be off-limits?

If you didn’t have a good reason not to purchase his new book (which he is currently on the road promoting), I hope that he has now given you one. He has embarrassed both his publisher, as well as the Long Island institution he has helped to build, a number of times with his outrageous opinions. Neither his prominence in the scientific community, nor his Nobel Prize, give him license to make such ridiculous and inflammatory statements.

I wish Stephen Jay Gould was still around to comment on Dr. Watson’s latest verbal gaff.