Please God, don't let it happen. Please don't let Franky Collins win this stupid award. I don't usually make pleas to you, but, given that this is a matter regarding a man of faithTM, I figured it's a good time to plea to the sky fairy. So, do whatever you can to prevent Congress from awarding Frank the medal.
As for my more terrestrial readers, here's the skinny. The Genetic Alliance is petitioning the US Congress to award Collins the Congressional Gold Medal. Why? Because he's in charge of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Now, the NHGRI has done a great job in promoting genome research, a field in which I'm actively involved. But Frank's an embarrassment to all geneticists.
Genomics relies heavily on evolutionary biology. Take a look at the current issue of Genome Research, one of the top journals focusing on genomics. Many of those articles either employ comparative techniques or study variation within populations. The analytic techniques involved are based in population genetics, phylogenetics, and molecular evolution. What does this have to do with Frank? Well, Frank don't understand evolution. Frank's a crappy biologist.
(Via Hsien.)
Aren't you being a bit harsh?
Aren't you being a bit harsh?
Yes, I am.