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July 30, 2004
THE MAN WHO CHANGED EVERYTHING
We all like the idea that we'll be remembered when we're gone. Most would be happy if this meant that our families and some friends felt a loss when we pass on, that we had some impact on those who were closest to us. A few of us more attention-needing, delusions of grandeur-having types (okay, me!) would like to believe that we'll make our mark on the world enough to where, when we go, Jennings, Brokaw, and Rather will make note of it.
These are fine aspirations, But every once in a while, a human being comes along who doesn't just make a mark -- the person changes the world, and the way humanity lives in it - forever. One such giant left us this week, though the level of attention paid to him was surprisingly low. Sir Francis Crick was the co-discoverer of DNA - the basic building blocks of the human animal. He died Thursday at the age of 88.
If you think about all the changes and breakthroughs that were made possible by the discovery of the elements of the human gene, you quickly understand what a legacy Crick leaves behind. The knowledge of DNA led to medical breakthroughs that enabled us to overcome disease, understand aging, and even begin preventative genetic analysis and treatments. People today live longer, healthier lives because of the work of this one man and his partner James Watson. (And if you think about the sociological impact of humans living longer... their influence gets even greater.)
Food production changed forever because of Francis Crick's work. Criminal justice has changed forever because of Francis Crick's work. Pharamaceutical research has changed forever because of Francis Crick's work. Whoever you are, the odds are incredibly high that you will live longer because of the work of Francis Crick.
Not a bad legacy, huh?
Goodbye, Mr. Crick... and thank you.
