At a moment of great discovery, one Big Idea can change the world...The discovery by Francis Crick and James Watson of DNA - the very building blocks of life - has astounding implications for mankind's future. Not only in the scientific possibilities of cloning, life expectancy and medical research, but also in our everyday lives - such as forensics and the genetic engineering of food. But with this discovery have come important ethical questions..."Crick, Watson & DNA" is an engaging and accessible examination of these two scientists' lives, radical work and legacy. Their's was a frantic race against other scientists to understand the structure of DNA. Their Big Idea extends even beyond their monumental achievement to the moral implications that have arisen from it. "The Big Idea" series is a fascinating look at the greatest advances in our scientific history, and at the men and women who made these fundamental breakthroughs.

Paul Strathern was born in London and studied philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin. He was a lecturer at Kingston University where he taught philosophy and mathematics. He is a Somerset Maugham prize-winning novelist of A Season in Abyssinia, as well as four other novels. He is also the author of the Philosophers in 90 Minutes series.He wrote Mendeleyev's Dream which was shortlisted for the Aventis Science Book Prize, Dr. Strangelove's Game: A History of Economic Genius, The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance, Napoleon in Egypt and most recently, The Artist, The Philosopher and The Warrior, which details the convergence of three of Renaissance Italy's most brilliant minds: Leonardo Da Vinci, Niccolo Machiavelli and Cesare Borgia. He lives in London and has three grandchildren.