WASHINGTON—July 8, 2009—Research!America praised today's nomination of
Francis Collins, MD, PhD, as director of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). From 1993 to 2008, Collins was director of the National Human
Genome Research Institute at NIH, where his achievements included completing the
Human Genome Project and working to protect the privacy of patients' genetic
information and prohibit gene-based insurance and employer discrimination.
The Honorable John Edward Porter, Research!America's chair, said, "It is a perfect nomination. 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."
Porter, an Illinois Congressman from 1980 to 2001, added, "During the time that Dr. Collins headed NHGRI and guided the Human Genome Project toward completion, I had the opportunity to work closely with him, providing funding to complete and carry his work forward. I have complete confidence that he will provide outstanding leadership for NIH and continue its influence throughout the world."
Mary Woolley, Research!America's president and CEO, said, "We urge the Senate to confirm Dr. Collins immediately so that he can get to work on behalf of all those, in this nation and around the world, who look to the NIH for leadership in research for health. I am convinced that he will be a strong and effective leader for the NIH at this time of unprecedented national health and economic challenges. He is a respected, insightful and articulate leader who understands the public and policy aspects of leading an agency such as the NIH."
Woolley continued, "When confirmed, Dr. Collins will take over the reins of leadership from Acting Director Raynard Kington, MD. Dr. Kington has done an exemplary job of managing the NIH in a time of extraordinary response by the research community to the directive of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to put research back to work in the service of the nation's recovery and, in the long-term, sustained economic growth and advances in health."
Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, Research!America is supported by 500 member organizations that represent the voices of 125 million Americans. Visit www.researchamerica.org.