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UK Nobel laureate resigns over gender remarks

British Nobel-wining scientist in hot water after 'girls' remarks

Britain's Nobel laureate Tim Hunt has resigned from his post at University College London after telling a conference that female scientists cry when criticized and fall in love in the lab.

Hunt, who won the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 2001 made the controversial remarks during the World Conference of Science Journalists in South Korea.

"Let me tell you about my trouble with girls," Hunt was reported as saying. "Three things happen when they are in the lab: you fall in love with them, they fall in love with you, and when you criticize them they cry."

He also reportedly said that relationships between men and women in the laboratory disrupted work.

The 72-year-old has admitted making the comments but apologized for causing offense.  "I'm really sorry that I said what I said. It was a very stupid thing to do”.

Hunt also said his “light-hearted, ironic comment” was interpreted deadly seriously.

Hunt was holding an unpaid, non-teaching honorary professor position with the UCL. He has not resigned from other post he is currently holding in other institutions.

Meanwhile, the scientific community in Britain has criticized Hunt for his remarks. Dorothy Bishop, professor of developmental neuropsychology at Oxford called Hunt’s speech "a setback for the cause of women in science".

The Royal Society, a fellowship of some of the world's most distinguished scientists that also includes Hunt, has also distanced itself from the Nobel laureate. "In order to achieve everything that it can, science needs to make the best use of the research capabilities of the entire population," it said.

SKL/SKL


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