I don't think we are here for anything. We're just products of evolution. You can say, "Gee, your life must be pretty bleak if you don't think there's a purpose." But I'm anticipating a good lunch.

Every time you understand something, religion becomes less likely. Only with the discovery of the double helix and the ensuing genetic revolution have we had grounds for thinking that the powers held traditionally to be the exclusive property of the gods might one day be ours. 5

The American public is being sold a very nasty bill of goods about cancer.

It's necessary to be slightly underemployed if you are to do something significant.

Already for thirty-five years he had not stopped talking and almost nothing of fundamental value had emerged.

I am thrilled to see my genome.

The luckiest thing that ever happened to me was that my father didn't believe in God, and so he had no hang-ups about souls.