In Ben Birnbaum’s Oct. 30 column “In Defense of Dr. Watson,” the author defends the man who co-discovered DNA’s double helix against the scary “P.C. Thought Police.” Birnbaum, who is no stranger to controversial opinions, has chosen to defend Watson’s assertion that there may be genetic differences between blacks and whites resulting in inferior intellectual capabilities in blacks.

Birnbaum goes on to lament the scientific community’s lack of cojones for not sticking up for their comrade in arms, and continually quotes the “probably” mainstream views of this venerated scientist.

However, Birnbaum fails to mention Watson’s other dubious beliefs that the science community has shrunk from: If a gene for homosexuality were isolated, women who find that their unborn child has the gene should be allowed to have an abortion. There might be links between skin color and sexual prowess and between a person’s weight and their level of ambition. Stupidity is a genetic disease that should be treated.

What’s more alarming than these racist and homophobic comments is that Watson offered no scientific proof for his views. Indeed, he later said, “There is no scientific basis for such a belief.”

Birnbaum also failed to mention the other prominent comments that Watson made in the same interview, including that black and white employees do not have the same intelligence levels.

It is apparent that Watson has an extensive history of making comments colored more by his personal opinions than overwhelming scientific evidence. CNN, along with many other news sources, claim that Watson’s colleagues are often embarrassed by his impromptu, unsubstantiated comments.

I do wonder why Birnbaum chose not to show Watson’s flagrantly racist comments in their full context. Birnbaum says that he is the grandchild of three Holocaust survivors, so he knows first-hand the dangers of such Social Darwinian notions. I think and hope that Birnbaum simply did not know the full scope of Watson’s past comments before choosing to omit them from his column.

Birnbaum also includes the average I.Q. of Jews, Asians, whites and blacks, despite the fact that Watson only made comments about whites and blacks. And since when did Jews become a race? Does one’s religion also makes you smarter?

Birnbaum is trying to legitimate comments in a debate that does not have enough substantiated evidence to take place on a topic that no one will willingly debate openly in the scientific community.

He also mentions that “when a survey of I.Q. experts found that those who attributed the black-white gap partly to genetic differences outnumbered 3-1 those who chalked it up strictly to environmental factors.” According to the American Psychological Association: “Empirical evidence shows little support for genetic explanations of the Black/White I.Q. differential.”

Until there is a preponderance of evidence that points to genetics as an explanation for differences in I.Q., we should not haphazardly express unsubstantiated ideas that have the potential to condemn a whole race of people for the sake of unsubstantiated debate.

I know that a lot of people may not agree with my proposal to stifle this debate, but given the history of the adoption of the belief in differential intelligence and worth — all the way back to Aristotle’s Great Chain of Being — in inspiring and encouraging colonialism, imperialism and eugenics, it is only appropriate. Of course, we all know the argument that socioeconomic and historic discrimination, as well as test biases account for for gaps in I.Q. tests, so I will not bore you explaining it again.

The idea that genetics determines intelligence has significant implications. My grandfather lived during a time when he could turn on the radio and hear a U.S. senator using the Bible and science to promote segregation, but these beliefs never seeped into his subconscious because he knew how those in power use science and religion to shape their own ideas.

Watson deserved to lose his job and his reputation for his despicable comments. It is disgusting that Watson’s apologists hide behind his Nobel Prize as proof of his right to challenge the world with pernicious notions. Birnbaum, however, will suffer a surge in popularity as the conservatives lavish him with plaudits for taking on the oppressive “P.C. Thought Police.”

If Watson had condemned Jews or Israel with his Nobel Peace Prize around his neck, the title of Birnbaum’s column would have read “Anti-Semitism Condoned by Nobel Peace Winner.” And we all know how that column would have gone.

Michael Mouton is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. He can be contacted at mm492@cornell.edu. Guest Room appears periodically.