Historically, women have been underrepresented in the sciences and in medicine, and often their pioneering contributions

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Historically, women have been underrepresented in the sciences
and in medicine, and often their pioneering contributions have gone
relatively unnoticed. For example, although
Rosalind Franklin performed the X-ray
diffraction studies demonstrating the double-helical structure
of DNA, it is Watson and Crick who became famous for this
discovery, building on her data. There still remains great
controversy over whether their acquisition of her data was
appropriate and whether personality conflicts and gender bias
contributed to the delayed recognition of her significant
contributions. Similarly, Barbara McClintock did
pioneering work in maize (corn) genetics from the 1930s through
1950s, discovering transposons (jumping genes), but she
was not recognized until much later, receiving a Nobel Prize in
Physiology or Medicine in 1983 (Figure 10.19 (Links to an
external site.)).
Today, women still remain underrepresented in many fields of
science and medicine. While more than half of the undergraduate
degrees in science are awarded to women, only 46% of doctoral
degrees in science are awarded to women. In academia, the number of
women at each level of career advancement continues to decrease,
with women holding less than one-third of the positions of
Ph.D.-level scientists in tenure-track positions, and less than
one-quarter of the full professorships at 4-year colleges and
universities.11 (Links to an external
site.) Even in the health professions, like nearly all
other fields, women are often underrepresented in many medical
careers and earn significantly less than their male counterparts,
as shown in a 2013 study published by the Journal of the
American Medical Association.12 (Links to an
external site.)
Why do such disparities continue to exist and how do we break
these cycles? The situation is complex and likely results from the
combination of various factors, including how society conditions
the behaviors of girls from a young age and supports their
interests, both professionally and personally. Some have suggested
that women do not belong in the laboratory, including Nobel Prize
winner Tim Hunt, whose 2015 public comments suggesting that women
are too emotional for science13 (Links to an external
site.) were met with widespread condemnation.
Why do you believe such disparities continue to exist and what
can be done about them? Why might these disparities be problematic,
or are they? Support your position with peer-reviewed studies as
appropriate. Respectfully respond to at least two other classmates
and engage with those who respond to your post.