The Pontifical Academy of Sciences was founded in 1603 and claims to have been the “first exclusively scientific academy in the world.” Its 80 members, who include many Nobel laureates and other luminaries including the physicist Stephen Hawking, meet for a plenary session at the Vatican every two years.
Collins, 59, is the geneticist who led the Human Genome Project, the international research project that mapped out the body’s complete genetic code in 2003. Among his other accomplishments, he was part of the team that in 1989 identified the gene causing cystic fibrosis. Collins is a supporter of embryonic stem cell research, which the Catholic Church forbids.
An evangelical Christian, Collins is known for his efforts to reconcile scientific knowledge with religious faith.
His best-selling book, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief (2006), argued for the compatibility of Darwin’s theory of natural selection with the existence of a creator God. Rejecting creationism and intelligent design, Collins espoused “theistic evolution” as an explanation for the existence of the universe and life.
Collins’ well-known religious views reportedly aroused criticism from some fellow scientists after President Barack Obama chose him to head the NIH in July and was later confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
President Obama chose for his administration’s two top medical posts people of private faith and public acclaim whose positions may put them out of lock step with fellow believers. In addition to Collins, Obama nominated for surgeon general Dr. Regina Benjamin, 52, a Roman Catholic who attended Catholic schools and was awarded a papal medal but, according to the White House, agrees with the president on “reproductive health issues.” Her confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate had not been scheduled as this issue went to press.
Obama’s choices reflect his hopes to “break the mold” of Washington politics and forge an administration with a wide range of perspectives, said Emilie Townes, associate dean of academic affairs at Yale Divinity School. In fact, she said, the choices of Collins and Benjamin demonstrate “big tent” evangelicalism and Catholicism.
“They’re going to be able to speak to a variety of people about a variety of issues,” she said. “They’re not going to be lambs to the slaughter or ideologues. They’re pragmatic people who understand how to get things done but also bring a vision for something more than just how things have been done.”
Philip Clayton, a theology professor at Claremont School of Theology in California, says: “Both choices reflect Obama’s pragmatic idealism.”
Collins has spoken publicly about his faith: “When as a scientist I have the great privilege of learning something that no human knew before, as a believer I also have the indescribable experience of having caught a glimpse of God’s mind,” Collins said at the 2007 National Prayer Breakfast, during which he described his transition from atheist to believer. He more recently started the BioLogos Foundation, which aims to bridge divisions between science and religion. He stepped down from its leadership when confirmed to the NIH post.
While groups like Focus on the Family hailed Obama’s selection of an evangelical for the NIH post, its newsletter noted that anti-abortion proponents cannot completely affirm his stances, “particularly since he supports destructive human embryonic stem cell research.”
Some scientists, including University of Chicago ecology professor Jerry A. Coyne, have expressed qualms about Collins. “I’d be much more comfortable with someone whose only agenda was science, and did not feel compelled to set up a highly publicized Web site demonstrating how he reconciles his science with Jesus,” he blogged.
But others familiar with Collins’ work say there’s no reason to fear his faith. “Francis is first and foremost a scientist and he adheres to the highest standards of research and scientific integrity,” said Ted Peters, author of Playing God?: Genetic Determinism and Human Freedom. “These standards are shared with people of different religious faiths as well as others who have no religious faith.”
Robert John Russell, director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., said there’s no difference between Obama or John F. Kennedy serving as people of faith in a government position than what Collins and Benjamin will face .
“If you get someone who’s exemplary in their profession and … comfortable with their own faith stance and can be appreciative of other faith stances, then that’s an added value,” he said.
