Science seldom proceeds in the straightforward logical manner imagined by outsiders. Instead, its steps forward (and sometimes backward) are often very human events in which personalities and cultural traditions play major roles.

Take young researchers, put them together in virtual seclusion, give them an unprecedented degree of freedom and turn up the pressure by fostering competitiveness.

I think the reason people are dealing with science less well now than 50 years ago is that it has become so complicated.

Science has always been my preoccupation and when you think a breakthrough is possible, it is terribly exciting.

Every time you understand something, religion becomes less likely. Only with the discovery of the double helix and the ensuing genetic revolution have we had grounds for thinking that the powers held traditionally to be the exclusive property of the gods might one day be ours. . . .

I think the reason people are dealing with science less well now than 50 years ago is that it has become so complicated.