DNA pioneer James Watson sets out radical concept for selection of illnesses

James Watson, 85, says he produced his theory soon after pondering why exercising appears to benefit people with higher blood sugar. Photograph: Edmond Terakopian/PA

Not satisfied with his work that unravelled the double helix construction of DNA and landed him a share of a Nobel prize half a century ago, James Watson has come up with a radical concept for diabetes, dementia, heart ailment and cancer.

The 85-year-outdated scientist has turned to the pages of the Lancet medical journal to set forth his grand notion, which some academics say might not have observed the light of day had it come from anyone else.

Watson, who stepped down as director of the Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory in New York in 2007 after the Times quoted his views on Africa and intelligence, has organized a conference at the lab this 12 months to discover his most recent hypothesis.

Writing in the Lancet, Watson claims that late onset, or variety two diabetes, is typically considered to be induced by oxidation in the physique that causes irritation and kills off pancreatic cells. But he thinks the root of that irritation is fairly different: “The basic result in, I suggest, is a lack of biological oxidants, not an excess,” he writes.

Watson, a keen singles tennis player, says he developed his theory right after pondering why workout appeared to advantage individuals with high blood sugar, an early indicator of potential diabetes. Workout developed “reactive oxygen species” that were extensively believed to be dangerous.

Other study fed into his thinking, chiefly a research by Matthias Blüher at the University of Leipzig. He showed that reactive oxygen species released in exercising combatted the insulin resistance noticed in diabetes, but that the benefits vanished if you gave men and women antioxidants prior to the exercised.

Watson believes that rather than getting wholly negative, oxidising molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide, are vital for the body’s wellness. In certain, he factors out that hydrogen peroxide goes to operate in a cellular organ called the endoplasmic reticulum, the place it guarantees proteins are secure. If levels of oxidants are too minimal, he suggests, the proteins grow to be misshapen and trigger the inflammation that damages the pancreas. And a raft of other illnesses.

Huge research have currently proven that antioxidant dietary supplements do not help folks to dwell longer. Watson’s hypothesis also suggests there is nothing to be acquired, although he makes a point of saying he is not experienced to give individuals well being guidance.

“Just about every doctor I’ve ever known tells every patient who is capable of carrying out so to exercise. I feel physical exercise assists us create healthy, functional proteins. But we genuinely want to have some higher-good quality research to demonstrate this.”

He adds: “We sorely need to consider a much a lot more critical and thorough scientific seem at the mechanisms via which exercising improves our overall health.”

Watson’s thought acquired a mixed reception from scientists on Thursday. A single professor of metabolic medicine was unimpressed and said the idea was not even novel. “It is only because of his identify that James Watson is permitted to present his woolly ideas in the Lancet,” he explained.

The director of the MRC Metabolic Illnesses Unit at the University of Cambridge, Stephen O’Rahilly, was significantly less scathing. He said: “He is exhorting more science to be completed on how physical action may possibly be beneficial. We want to realize the mechanism. Making the proper reactive oxygen species in the appropriate place at the correct time is essential for us to stay effectively, and blocking them may possibly not be a very good idea.”

DNA pioneer James Watson sets out radical concept for selection of illnesses