James Watson, co-discoverer of the double-helix shape of DNA, has died at age 97

James D. Watson, whose co-discovery of the twisted-ladder structure of DNA in 1953 helped light the long fuse on a revolution in medicine, crimefighting, genealogy and ethics, has died. He was 97. The breakthrough — made when the brash, Chicago-born Watson was just 24 — turned him into a hallowed figure in the world of [...]