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Home , Craig Venter, Francis Collins, Human Genome Project

Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / June 26 1499

Bruce and their families for being here today Remarks on Completion of the First and ask them to stand and be recognized. Survey of the [Applause] Project Before I close, I also want to say a special word of appreciation to the men and women June 26, 2000 of the Central Identification Laboratory in The President. Good morning. I want to, Hawaii, known as CIL–HI. Since 1996, they first of all, acknowledge Prime Minister Blair, have recovered more than 40 sets of remains who will join us by satellite in just a moment, from Korea. On Memorial Day I announced from London. I want to welcome here the that we had resumed talks with North Korea Ambassadors from the , in hopes of recovering more. The talks were , , . And I’d also like successful. Today I am pleased to announce to acknowledge the contributions not only that as we are here meeting, the latest team that their scientists but also scientists from from CIL–HI is in the air, on the way to made to the vast international consor- North Korea. We will not stop until we have tium that is the project. the fullest possible accounting of all our men I thank Secretary Shalala, who could not and women still missing in action there. be here today, and Secretary Richardson, To my Americans and our distin- who is here. Dr. Ruth Kirschstein, Dr. Ari guished allies and friends from Korea, and Patrinos, scientists of the Department of those representing our other allies, we all Health and Human Services and the Depart- know that Korea isn’t about Hawkeye and ment of Energy, who have played an impor- Houlihan but about honor and heroes, young tant role in the human . men and women willing to pay the price to I want to say a special word of thanks to keep a people they had never met free. my adviser, Dr. Neal Lane, and of course, to Dr. , the Director To the veterans of the Korean war—those of the International , here, those around the country, those whom and to the Celera president, . we must remember today—let me say, on I thank Senator Harkin and Senator Sarbanes behalf of a grateful nation: Fifty years ago for being here, and the other distinguished you helped make the world that we know guests. today possible. You proved to all humanity Nearly two centuries ago, in this room, on just how good our Nation can be at its best. this floor, Thomas Jefferson and a trusted You showed us, through your example, that aide spread out a magnificent map, a map freedom is not free, but it can be maintained. Jefferson had long prayed he would get to Today your fellow Americans say: We re- see in his lifetime. The aide was Meriwether member, and we are very grateful. Lewis, and the map was the product of his bless you, and God bless America. courageous expedition across the American frontier, all the way to the Pacific. It was a map that defined the contours and forever expanded the frontiers of our continent and NOTE: The President spoke at 4:47 p.m. at the Korean War Memorial in West Potomac Park. In our imagination. his remarks, he referred to Gen. Richard B. Today the world is joining us here in the Myers, USAF, Commander, U.S. Space Com- East Room to behold a map of even greater mand; Hong Koo Lee, Korean Ambassador to the significance. We are here to celebrate the ; Chaplain John N. Craven, USN completion of the first survey of the entire (Ret.); Chaplain Samuel Sobel, USN (Ret.); human genome. Without a doubt, this is the former Senator John Glenn; and General Sec- most important, most wondrous map ever retary Kim Chong-il of North Korea produced by humankind. 1500 June 26 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

The moment we are here to witness was cer cells, with little or no risk to healthy cells. brought about through brilliant and pains- In fact, it is now conceivable that our chil- taking work of scientists all over the world, dren’s children will know the term ‘‘’’ including many men and women here today. only as a constellation of stars. It was not even 50 years ago that a young But today’s historic achievement is only a Englishman named Crick and a brash, even starting point. There is much hard work yet younger American named Watson, first dis- to be done. That is why I’m so pleased to covered the elegant structure of our genetic announce that from this moment forward, code. Dr. Watson, the way you announced the robust and healthy competition that has your discovery in the journal ‘‘,’’ was led us to this day and that always is essential one of the great understatements of all time: to the progress of science will be coupled ‘‘This structure has novel features, which are with enhanced public/private cooperation. of considerable biological interest.’’ [Laugh- Public and private research teams are ter] Thank you, sir. committed to publishing their genomic data How far we have come since that day. In simultaneously later this year for the benefit the intervening years, we have pooled the of researchers in every corner of the globe. combined wisdom of , , And after publication, both sets of teams will physics, engineering, mathematics, and com- join together for an historic puter science; tapped the great strengths and conference. Together, they will examine insights of the public and private sectors. what scientific insights have been gleaned More than 1,000 researchers across six na- from both efforts and how we can most judi- tions have revealed nearly all 3 billion letters ciously proceed toward the next majestic ho- of our miraculous genetic code. I congratu- rizons. late all of you on this stunning and humbling achievement. What are those next horizons? Well, first, Today’s announcement represents more we will complete a virtually error-free final than just an epic-making triumph of science draft of the human genome before the 50th and reason. After all, when Galileo discov- anniversary of the discovery of the double ered he could use the tools of mathematics helix, less than 3 years from now. Second, and mechanics to understand the motion of through sustained and vigorous support for celestial bodies, he felt, in the words of one public and private research, we must sort eminent researcher, ‘‘that he had learned the through this trove of genomic data to identify language in which God created the uni- every human . We must discover the verse.’’ function of these and their Today, we are learning the language in products, and then we must rapidly convert which God created life. We are gaining ever that knowledge into treatments that can more awe for the complexity, the beauty, the lengthen and enrich lives. wonder of God’s most divine and sacred gift. I want to emphasize that With this profound new knowledge, human- companies are absolutely essential in this en- kind is on the verge of gaining immense new deavor, for it is they who will bring to the power to heal. Genome science will have a market the life-enhancing applications of the real impact on all our lives and even more information from the human genome. And on the lives of our children. It will revolu- for that reason, this administration is com- tionize the diagnosis, prevention, and treat- mitted to helping them to make the kind of ment of most, if not all, human diseases. long-term investments that will change the In coming years, doctors increasingly will face of forever. be able to cure diseases like Alzheimer’s, The third horizon that lies before us is one Parkinson’s, diabetes, and cancer by attack- that science cannot approach alone. It is the ing their genetic roots. Just to offer one ex- horizon that represents the ethical, moral, ample, patients with some forms of leukemia and spiritual dimension of the power we now and already are being treated possess. We must not shrink from exploring in clinical trials with sophisticated new drugs that far frontier of science. But as we con- that precisely target the faulty genes and can- sider how to use new discovery, we must also Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / June 26 1501 not retreat from our oldest and most cher- life expectancy has just gone up by about 25 ished human values. We must ensure that years. [Laughter] new genome science and its benefits will be At this point, Prime Minister of directed toward making life better for all citi- [ the United Kingdom, made remarks by sat- zens of the world, never just a privileged few. ellite. As we unlock the secrets of the human ge- ] nome, we must work simultaneously to en- The President. Tony, if I could, I would sure that new discoveries never pry open the like to pick up on your last remark. I think doors of privacy. And we must guarantee that everybody genuinely is concerned about the genetic information cannot be used to stig- issues you raised, the privacy issues, and the matize or discriminate against any individual whole general set of ethical, social, and legal or group. issues. And it strikes me that our scientists— Increasing knowledge of the human ge- the British and the American scientists, our nome must never change the basic belief on French, German, Chinese counterparts who which our ethics, our Government, our soci- worked on this—were working toward a sin- ety are founded. All of us are created equal, gle, clearly defined goal in all those countries entitled to equal treatment under the law. and in the other countries of the world that After all, I believe one of the great truths will have to live with both the benefits and to emerge from this triumphant expedition the challenges of these discoveries. inside the human genome is that in genetic There are different legal systems, different terms, all human beings, regardless of race, social mores, but I think that it would be are more than 99.9 percent the same. a very good thing if the U.S, the U.K., and What that means is that modern science anybody else that wants to work with us, has confirmed what we first learned from an- could have the same sort of joint endeavor cient faiths. The most important fact of life we’ve had with the human genome, to deal on this Earth is our common humanity. My with the implications of this, to deal with the greatest wish on this day for the ages is that legal, the social, the ethical implications. We this incandescent truth will always guide our may have differences from country to coun- actions as we continue to march forth in this, try, but I think that, if we work together, the greatest age of discovery ever known. we’ll give a higher sense of urgency to the Now, it is my great pleasure to turn to my project, and we’ll get a better product. friend Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is And so I’m offering you another partner- joined in the State Dining Room at 10 Down- ship. It’s easy for me to do, because you’ll ing Street by Dr. Fred Sanger and other have to do it, and I’ll be gone. [Laughter] world-renowned scientists. With the gen- Prime Minister Blair made remarks by sat- erous support of the , British [ ellite. scientists have played an invaluable role in ] reaching this milestone. The President. Thank you. Thank you On behalf of the American people, I would very much, Tony. like to thank the Prime Minister, the sci- Now, in a few moments, we’ll hear from entists, and the British nation for the brilliant Celera president Dr. Craig Venter, who work you have brought to this international shares in the glory of this day, and deservedly effort. so because of his truly visionary pursuit of And Mr. Prime Minister, I would like to innovative strategies to sequence the human salute not only your unwavering support for genome as rapidly as possible. And I thank genome research but also your visionary you, Craig, for what you have done to make commitment to sparking ever-greater innova- this day possible. tion across the full spectrum of science and And now I’d like to invite Dr. Francis Col- technology. lins to the lectern. I also want to congratulate And on a personal note, I can’t help but him. From his development of some of the think that the year of your son’s birth will central methods for finding human disease always be remembered for the remarkable genes to his successful application of those achievements we announce today. I think his methods to the discovery of the 1502 June 26 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 gene in 1989 to his current leadership for Remarks on the Midsession Review the International human genome project, he of the Budget and an Exchange With has combined the talents of rigorous science Reporters and a profound sensitivity to ethical, legal, and social issues. He is a physician scientist June 26, 2000 of great faith, compassion, energy, and integ- The President. Good afternoon. This is rity. And he has truly helped us more than a great day for America. First we had the anyone else to understand how the marvels announcement of the of the of genome science will actually improve human genome; now I have just received a human health. report from my Chief of Staff and the mem- So Dr. Collins, please come up to the lec- bers of my economic team on our latest tern. budget projections, and it’s more good news. [Dr. Francis Collins, Director, National In 1993, when I became President, the Human Genome Research Institute, and Dr. Federal budget deficit was $290 billion. It J. Craig Venter, president and chief scientific was projected to rise to $455 billion this year. officer, Celera Corporation, made The American people wanted a better future, brief remarks.] and we offered a new economic course of fiscal discipline, expanded trade, and greater The President. Well, thank you both for investment in our people and our future. those remarkable statements. I suppose, in The result has been the longest economic closing, the most important thing I could do expansion in history, a fiscal turnaround that is to associate myself with Dr. Venter’s last is stronger, frankly, than any of us had imag- statement. When we get this all worked out ined. In fact, in each year since 1993, both and we’re all living to be 150—[laughter]— economic growth and Federal revenues have young people will still fall in love; old people surpassed our forecasts. And this year is no will still fight about things that should have exception. been resolved 50 years ago—[laughter]—we Today, as required by law, I am releasing will all, on occasion, do stupid things; and the midsession review of the budget that we will all see the unbelievable capacity of shows that our overall budget surplus this humanity to be noble. This is a great day. year will be $211 billion, more than a $700 Thank you very much. billion improvement over where we pro- jected to be in 1993. And we’re forecasting NOTE: The President spoke at 10:19 a.m. in the a surplus for the next 10 years that is over East Room at the White House. In his remarks, a trillion dollars larger than was forecast just he referred to British Ambassador to the U.S. 4 months ago. Christopher Meyer; Japanese Ambassador to the The American people should be very U.S. Shunji Yanai; German Ambassador to the proud of this news. It’s the result of their U.S. Juergen Chrobog; French Ambassador to the hard work and their support for fiscal dis- U.S. Francis Bujon de l’Estang; Aristides Patrinos, Associate Director, , Department cipline. It’s proof that we can create a better of Energy; James D. Watson, president, Cold future for ourselves when we put our minds Spring Harbor Laboratory; Francis H. Crick, re- to it, and it provides a tremendous new op- searcher, Cambridge Laboratory of Molecular Bi- portunity to build an even brighter future if ology; , 1958 and 1980 Nobel we sustain our prosperity by maintaining our Prize-winner for chemistry; and Prime Minister fiscal discipline. Blair’s son, Leo. The transcript released by the These new surpluses put us in a position Office of the Press Secretary also included the to achieve something that would have remarks of the Prime Minister Blair, Dr. Collins, seemed unimaginable in 1993. As this chart and Dr. Venter.