New york: James Dewey Watson, the American scientist known for his role in discovering the structure of DNA at the age of 25, passed away at his home in New York. He was 97.

According to Anadolu Agency, Watson's son, Duncan Watson, confirmed his father's death occurred in a hospice where he had been moved earlier in the week following treatment for an infection. The New York Times reported on this development.

Watson, along with Francis H.C. Crick, gained fame for their 1953 identification of DNA's double-helix structure, a discovery that earned them the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1962. This breakthrough has been pivotal in the field of genetics, enabling advancements such as the identification of genetic mutations and the development of gene-editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9.

Despite his scientific achievements, Watson faced criticism over remarks and for downplaying Rosalind Franklin's contribution to the discovery. Franklin's X-ray results and unpublished research played a crucial role in Watson and Crick's findings.

In 2014, Watson decided to sell his Nobel Prize medal, citing isolation from the scientific community due to his controversial comments and expressing a need for financial resources. He intended to donate part of the auction proceeds, which amounted to $4.8 million, to scientific research.

Watson's reputation faced further scrutiny in 2019 when his honorary titles were revoked after he reiterated controversial claims linking race and intelligence. Despite these controversies, Watson was recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and held honorary degrees from over 12 universities, as well as membership in the National Academy of Sciences.