Paul Doty on Science & Politics
  Paul Doty     Biography    
Recorded: 22 Jul 2003

Yes. I think it’s very important that some [scientists] should [become involved in politics]. It’s a—to be successful in addition to luck it requires a different set of talents. But if the person is concerned and outgoing and interested in the irrational intricacies of politics then he has a chance to be useful, but he probably shouldn’t enter that field until he’s established himself as a scientist. And that means a second career.

Paul Doty (1920-2011), biophysical chemist and activist was an emeritus professor at Harvard University in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and in the Kennedy School of Government. He was also founder of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard. Experimenting with isotope separation as a graduate student at Columbia University, he became an advocate for nuclear war prevention. Subsequently, he served as a consultant to the President’s Science Advisory Committee and as a member of the President’s Arms Control Advisory Group.

Doty’s scientific research is focused on elucidating the structure and function of large molecules by optical methods. Responsible for hybridizing single strands of DNA to reform an active double-stranded molecule, his laboratory work helped provide the basis for DNA recombination.

Doty met Jim in 1952 in Cambridge. Four years later he had encouraged Jim to join the Harvard Faculty. Their combined insight and innovation was crucial in determining the fate of the newly created molecular biology department. Doty remained on the Harvard Faculty for over forty-two years.