In the speech, Summers said "issues of intrinsic aptitude" might explain why fewer women were in the sciences. He also said he was skeptical of discrimination as a reason for fewer women scientists, according to the Harvard Crimson, the university's student newspaper.

Harvard President Lawrence Summers, facing heavy faculty pressure, released a transcript of his controversial comments from a January speech.

In the speech, Summers said "issues of intrinsic aptitude" might explain why fewer women were in the sciences. He also said he was skeptical of discrimination as a reason for fewer women scientists, according to the Harvard Crimson, the university's student newspaper.

His comments sparked a firestorm of criticism and led Summers to apologize for his remarks. Questions have also raged as to the status of women at Harvard since Summers became president in July 2001.