Tobacco, UV rays, viruses, heredity, and age are the main causes of cancer.

A cancer is not simply a lung cancer. It doesn't simply have a certain kind of appearance under the microscope or a certain behavior, but it also has a set of changes in the genes or in the molecules that modify gene behavior that allows us to categorize cancers in ways that is very useful in thinking about new ways to control cancer by prevention and treatment.

There are three great themes in science in the twentieth century : the atom, the computer, and the gene.

Science can improve lives in ways that are elegant in design and moving in practice.

I begin with the premise that behavior is an incredibly important element in medicine. Peoples habits, their willingness to quit smoking, their willingness to take steps to avoid transmission of HIV, are all behavioral questions.

Our biggest single theme is trying to make the NIH work better with the same amount of money.

All basic scientists who look to the NCI for funding should know that I will tolerate no retreat on the study of model systems and the pursuit of fundamental biological principles.