A famous scientist who won the Nobel Prize for Medicine has apologized for racially insensitive comments about the intelligence of blacks.

The Sunday Times of London printed an interview with Doctor James Watson in which he suggested blacks are not as intelligent as whites.

The prominent laboratory where he works in New York (The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) suspended Watson over the comments Thursday. And London's Science Museum canceled a sold-out lecture Friday by the doctor.

A statement from Watson's publicist says he is mortified over the quotes. Watson said he cannot understand how he could have said what he is quoted as saying, but he understands the public reaction to the comments.

The Sunday Times of London says it recorded the interview and stands by the quotes in its October 14 issue.

Scientists around the world are denouncing the comments and say there is no scientific evidence that blacks are intellectually inferior.

In a statement issued after his remarks were published, Watson also said there is no scientific proof that blacks are less intelligent than whites.

Watson won the Nobel Prize in 1962 for his discoveries of the structure of DNA.

The 79-year-old scientist is known for making outspoken remarks about genes and intelligence.

Watson is in Britain promoting his new book called, Avoid Boring People.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.