Sir Tim Hunt, a Nobel Prize laureate, sparked public protest when he recently claimed that women "cry" in science labs. The British biochemist, accused of making sexist remarks at a conference in South Korea, has argued that he is the victim of a "rush to judgment."
While giving the talk at the World Conference of Science Journalists, Hunt reportedly explained his "trouble with girls." This included the claims that when in a lab with female scientists three different things happen.
Hunt said that men scientists fall in love with women co-workers, or the females fall in love with the males. He also said that women in science labs cry when they are criticized.
The British biochemist also reportedly supported single-sex science labs at the Seoul conference. He further referred to himself as a "chauvinist pig."
Since making the comments, Hunt has made a public apology. He has also resigned from his professor position at the University College London (UCL) Faculty of Life Sciences.
Hunt noted to the Observer that he was never given a chance to explain his statements or put them in context. He just "had to go."
The Nobel Prize winner explained that after the accusations of sexist remarks he has been stripped of all influence he had in the science world. He has been "hung out to dry," according to The Telegraph.
A UCL spokesman noted that its institution was the first British university to admit female students on equal terms to males. The school is committed to gender equality.
Hunt insisted to the BBC that his comments were intended to be humorous, but were "stupid" due to several journalists being present. He had meant to be honest.
Hunt stressed the importance of sometimes criticizing scientists' ideas in order to find the "absolute truth," which is the essence of science. He argued that a crying response inhibits that goal.
Connie St. Louis of the City University of London tweeted first about Hunt's alleged sexist remarks, according to Geek Wire. She argued that Hunt's comments resembled "Victorian times."
Hunt, 72 years old, won the 2001 Nobel Prize for his study of protein molecules and cell division.