BIO

Dr. Collins, one of the country’s leading geneticists, is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., in 1993 to head up the Human Genome Project as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, Dr. Collins helped to discover the genetic misspellings that cause cystic fibrosis, neurofibromatosis, and Huntington’s disease. For more information, visit www.genome.gov.

STORY EXCERPT

He said, “You know, I get the sense that you are wondering why you came here.” That really took me aback. How did he know? And then the words came out of his mouth that will stay with me for the rest of my life. He said, “I have an answer for you. You came here for one reason. You came here for me.” I was speechless. Tears welled up in my eyes. I had the sense that while this was a young Nigerian farmer speaking to me—about as different from me in culture, experience, and ancestry as any two humans could be—it was really God speaking to me, reminding me that what life is all about is one person at a time trying to reach out and help somebody who needs it. I had plunged a needle close to his heart; his words directly impaled mine.