Three billion bases of DNA sequence can be put on a single compact disc and one will be able to pull a CD out of one's pocket and say, 'Here is a human being; it's me!'

We know specific genes are turned on in specific cells, but we don't know to what extent this happens.

The human's place in the universe will be set in the scheme of evolution, the product of our biological inheritance.

Why do we do basic research? To learn about ourselves.

The community as a whole doesn't listen patiently to critics who adopt alternative viewpoints. Although the great lesson of history is that knowledge develops through the conflict of viewpoints.

The interaction of the variation in our genes is what's responsible for lots of our attributes and vigor.

Science doesn't in the slightest depend on trust. It depends completely on the belief that you can demonstrate something for yourself.