The Double Helix

Pauling’s visit to London is blocked by the American State Department due to suspicions about his politics beliefs and his public involvement with the World Peace movement. Watson is furious about the decision to let a world-leading scientist attend a non-political meeting, and of the conservative attitudes of the governing board at Cal Tech.

Luria is barred from attending the London meeting for the same reason, so Watson is left to give a survey of the latest phage developments, in his absence. The summary is provided in advance. The key point referenced is that the infection of bacteria by a phage involves the injection of viral DNA into the host, powerful new proof “that DNA is the primary genetic material” (86).

Watson finds little support for his ideas on TMV at the gathering. Conversations with Wilkins reveal that the models they sent haven’t been used, relations with Franklin have got worse, and that her data apparently now tells her firmly that DNA is not a helix: “[r]ather than build helical models at Maurice’s command she might twist the copper-wire models about his neck” (88).

Wilkins offers to return the models, and seems reassured that Watson is working on TMV.