Re: [asa] Defendscience vs. Collins

On Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 3:09 PM, Murray Hogg <muzhogg@netspace.net.au> wrote:

> Hi Rich,
>
> Interesting to read the Wikipedia page on Sen. Harkin and note his views on
> stem cell research (in favour of) as well as some of his views on other
> matters.
>
> That Collins' strongest supporter should be so obviously NOT a member of
> the Religious Right should give some pause to those who see something fishy
> in Collins' appointment.
>
> The more I learn, the more I worry about the (ab)use of science to bolster
> an anti-religious agenda in politics!
>
> Blessings,
> Murray
>

 On August 8, Senators Harkin, Specter, and Kennedy were awarded champions
of research of health by Research!America. Note the praise not only from
Senator Harkin but also from former NIH head, Dr. Elias Zerhouni. Must be
another "right-wing Christian Fundamentalist". Note that Senator Harkin's
prediction came true when Dr. Collins was unanimously confirmed by the
Senate.

http://www.researchamerica.org/app/webroot/blog/?tag=tom-harkin

>
>
> “Without research, we wouldn’t have breakthroughs. It’s not about discovery
> for the sake of discovery, but for the sake of better health and saving
> lives,” said *Sen. Tom Harkin (IA)*, at a Capitol Hill event Tuesday
> honoring him, *Sen. Arlen Specter (PA)* and *Sen. Edward Kennedy (MA)*.
>
> *The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health*, the *Albert and
> Mary Lasker Foundation* and *Research!America* recognized the senators for
> their leadership for research and for highlighting the importance of a
> shared commitment to making research for health a high national priority.
>
> The awards ceremony at the Russell Senate Office Building was emceed by *Elias
> A. Zerhouni, MD*, former National Institutes of Health director, and was attended
> by distinguished scientists, Nobel laureates, members of Congress and other
> leaders in health research community, including *Francis S. Collins, MD,
> PhD*, nominee for NIH director, and Nobel Laureate *Joseph Goldstein, MD*.
>
> Zerhouni recognized Collins and said, “There couldn’t be a better person
> to handle the NIH stimulus funding than Francis, and it couldn’t be better
> timing. Francis, do good work.”
>
> In his remarks, *Senator Harkin* said he was all but certain that Collins’
> nomination would be approved in the Senate before its August recess. He then
> spoke of his own commitment to NIH.
>
>

From Senator Harkin's web page:

http://harkin.senate.gov/pr/p.cfm?i=315490

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) released the following
> remarks today in reaction to President Obama’s announcement that he will
> nominate Dr. Francis Collins as director of the National Institutes of
> Health (NIH).
>
> “In selecting Dr. Francis Collins to lead the National Institutes of
> Health, President Obama has made an inspired choice. Dr. Collins is a
> brilliant scientist – his leadership on the Human Genome Project ushered us
> into a new era of scientific understanding. But what has been less
> appreciated is his administrative ability. In fact, when the Human Genome
> Project began in 1990, people predicted that it would take 15 years at a
> cost of $3 billion to complete the work. Thanks to Dr. Collins’ leadership
> and management, it took just 13 years and cost $2.7 billion to complete.”
>
> “Dr. Collins’ ability to communicate complex ideas and policies to Congress
> and the public will serve us all well. In all the years I’ve known him,
> I’ve never ended a conversation with him without feeling smarter and more
> hopeful for the future.”
>
> “I applaud President Obama for choosing Dr. Collins, and I predict the
> Senate will confirm him.”
>

Rich Blinne
Member ASA

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Received on Thu, 3 Sep 2009 17:20:15 -0600