It would be difficult to find a more universally lauded and liked researcher than geneticist Francis Collins, who the Obama administration nominated yesterday (July 8) to take the reins at the National Institutes of Health. Collins led the US government's Human Genome Project in his time as director of the NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute.

Francis Collins Image: Wikipedia

Almost immediately after the announcement of Collins's nomination was made, the praise and well-wishes started pouring in from the usual cast of science advocates. A sampling of the more glowing endorsements:

"He is an exceptional scientist, administrator, and communicator," wrote Association of American Medical Colleges president Darrell Kirch in a statement. "His skillful direction of [the Human Genome Project] -- one of the greatest technical, scientific, and management accomplishments of our lifetime -- is just one example of the expertise he will bring to the NIH and its 27 institutes and centers."

"It is a perfect nomination," enthused John Porter, former Congressman and chair of the science advocacy group Research!America, in a statement. "Francis Collins understands all of science and has a broad vision for advancing human health through research. He is one of the leading scientists of our time and will provide the kind of strong, effective leadership that should always be the hallmark of the National Institutes of Health."

Some in the scientific community may be wary of the idea of Collins -- who is an evangelical Christian -- leading the NIH, said Robert Cook-Deegan, director of Duke University's Center for Genome Ethics, who chronicled the start of the Human Genome Project in his 1996 book, Gene Wars: Science, Politics, and the Human Genome.

"I suspect his religious beliefs cost him among some science groups," wrote Cook-Deegan in an email to The Scientist. But Cook-Deegan, continued that Collins's religious beliefs might actually improve his relations with Congress and the American public. "I believe it is good for NIH and good for the country to heal some of the ideological rifts that have opened up in biomedical research policy," Cook-Deegan wrote. "[Collins] has strong connections among both parties and across the ideological spectrum. His commitment to Christianity builds trust with many policy makers and constituencies who otherwise might distrust a molecular biologist of international stature."

This may start Collins off on a good foot as he moves on to the Senate for confirmation hearings that are likely to approve his appointment. Let's just hope he's paid all his taxes!


Related stories:

Collins tapped to lead NIH
[8th July 2009]

Report: Collins to lead NIH
[26th May 2009]

Francis Collins leaves NHGRI
[28th May 2008]