Watching the movie on the discovery of DNA yesterday I couldn’t help but feel bad for Rosalind Franklin about the fact that she was absent at the moment of the formation of the DNA model. Dr Franklin was a brilliant scientist whose work was without doubt crucial to the formation of the model. She pretty much collected all the data! Even though she indicated being satisfied about the model being built by someone else, I can’t help but think part of her felt cheated.
That said, I do have critique about her way of doing science. She worked in isolation, closing doors to all collaboration. Granted the people around her did not inspire cooperation and had questionable motives I still wonder how differently the story would have gone if she had allowed herself to listen to the others and worked with them. DNA structure may have been discovered earlier and Dr Franklin may have received the credit she deserved before her death.
I think that it was really hard for Dr. Franklin to even initiate that first step in trying to collaborate. Those around her were definitely only trying to use her. Although she didn’t receive her due credit before eyer death, I think most people still credit her for the DNA structure (which is great)!
I always feel really conflicted whenever I hear about Rosalind Franklin, just because it’s impossible for us to know her side of the story. I wonder if the movie was an accurate portrayal of Dr. Franklin’s actual methods. In any case, I agree with what you say about the need for collaboration in science!