August 18, 2009
NIH's new chief pledges to lead research agency 'as a scientist'
by Dan Vergano
USA Today
BETHESDA, Md. -- Newly sworn-in National Institutes of Health chief Francis Collins, who founded an institute in May aimed at nurturing the coexistence of science and religion, announced Monday he had resigned from his foundation to focus on his research chief duties.
"I want to reassure everyone I am here to lead the NIH as best I can, as a scientist," Collins said, noting Internet and editorial page concerns about Collins, as an evangelical Christian, leading a science organization.
Collins, 59, may have stepped back from religion, but he then stepped into the health care debate: He called for more research comparing the effectiveness of medical treatments.
"I think NIH should be right in the middle of that," Collins says. "Not by providing political advice, because that's not what we do, but by providing evidence that is going to be useful in assisting decision-makers."
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