Francis Collins for the NIH?

The Scientist reported yesterday that Francis Collins is the favorite of the Obama's picks for the director of the NIH. In case you are unaware of who Francis Collins is, he is the former Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute and led the Human Genome Project.  He is also an outspoken Christian and has written a book titled, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief.  He also started the BioLogos Foundation that "promotes the search for truth in both the natural and spiritual realms seeking harmony between these different perspectives."  His religion has earned him some serious criticism from other scientists.

I am pleased to see the Collins is seriously being considered.  In a time when some believe you are not a real scientist if you believe in God, Collins would be a good choice for director.  From the comments on The Scientist Community it is clear that Collins is regarded by many to be a man of integrity that would not allow he particular religious beliefs to interfere with the demands of the position.   Here is one comment:

In my opinion, Francis would be an excellent choice for NIH Director. I first interacted with him at the University of Michigan as a fellow faculty member and continued to have interactions over the years as he made his climb to head of the Genome Center. As an accomplished scientist and researcher, he brings all that goes with being both of those to the position. However, I have been especially impressed with his interest in, and commitment to, minorities, not just as it relates to health disparities but also to the need to address the under representation of minorities in the sciences. I have not seen that degree of commitment to this area from other Directors, despite NIH continually stating such a commitment and considering the importance of this issue, we need someone with that type of commitment. When that is combined with his scientific successes and his ability to speak to issues that scientists do not always feel comfortable speaking to, e.g. religion, he would be not only the right person for the job but also would bring a perspective to a critically important position that heretofore has not been seen.

Of course, there are some bloggers who just cannot get over the fact that Collins believes in God:

I know he had a good reputation as an administrator of the human genome project, but do we really need to go back to the Bush years of god-walloping goofballs at the head of every major government agency?

(Because everyone knows that it is a scientific fact that anyone who believes in God is a goofball, and that immediately disqualifies you for any management position in the science arena no matter what your previous achievements.)

One blogger cannot get past his visceral hatred:

*PUKE*

*DRY HEAVE*

*spit*

... ugh...

Collins is afraid of science. Fear doesnt make a good leader. But threatening to make him head of the NIH makes a good substitute for ipecac.

Personally, I believe that if Collins is appointed head of the NIH every scientist, especially those who are religious, can breath a sigh of relief that come grant time they will be judged on their work, and not how they spend their Sundays.  If an atheist was appointed (especially one that would satisfy those who despise Collins so much,) I am not sure that same could be said.