Tim Hunt, recipient of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology, was forced to quit his job because of the controversial statement he made about working with women in the laboratory during the World Conference of Science Journalists in South Korea.

The 72-year-old scientist said that whenever you work with women in the lab, it's either you fall in love with them or they fall in love with you, then they cry when you give them criticism.

Like Us on Facebook

His comment received multiple reactions, especially on social media sites like Twitter. Women, particularly those who are working in laboratories, posted pictures, which they captioned "#distractinglysexy." 

He admitted in an interview following the conference that his comments were unjustifiable even though his intention was to say it in a jokingly manner. He thought that everything was fine.

Hunt said that he was just being honest and didn't mean to offend anyone, The Independent reported. Despite the apology, he was asked to quit his job.

He was an honorary professor at University College London faculty of life sciences, had a position with European Research Council science committee and was proclaimed a knight, which gave him an important role at The Royal Society. 

He felt he was given an unfair treatment because he wasn't given the chance to explain his side of the story. According to him, he was judged immediately.

There were reports that Hunt was fired but the University said they just accepted his resignation, San Jose Mercury News has learned. Prior to this controversy, he promoted science education around the world by giving talks to both male and female audiences.

Athene Donald and Ottoline Leyser, some of the women scientist Hunt has worked with, thought that the punishment was severe, as per Yahoo News.

Donald, who has been a Gender Equality Champion and a physicist from Cambridge University, said that she spent time with Hunt and never did she see any sign of sexism in him.

Leyser, director of Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge and who happens to be a former student of the accused sexist professor, said that her interactions with him were positive. There were no indications that Hunt was sexist.

The news of the professor's comment spread quickly via social media. Scientist are now cautious in speaking to the press or the public, knowing that with one simple remark—may or may not be intentional—can ruin your career in an instant.

TagsTim Hunt, nobel prize, sexist, Science