Lectures tackle faith, science:

Francis S. Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, will deliver the 2003 William Belden Noble lecture series exploring “genetics, medicine, and faith” on Feb. 3-5 at the Memorial Church.

In his role as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, Collins oversees a complex multidisciplinary project aimed at mapping and sequencing the human DNA, and determining aspects of its function. He also oversees the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium and many other aspects of what he has called “an adventure that beats going to the moon or splitting the atom.” Collins’ research has led to the identification of genes responsible for cystic fibrosis, neurofibromatosis, and Huntington’s disease. His accomplishments have been recognized by election to the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences.

No stranger to the Noble Lectures, Collins was a respondent in 1998 on the series’ 100th anniversary, delivered that year by Armand M. Nicholi, associate clinical professor of psychiatry from the Medical School. Nicholi, along with Kenneth Miller, professor of biology at Brown University, and the Rev. Ted Peters, director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences at the Graduate Theological Union, will participate as this year’s respondents.

On Feb. 3, Collins’ talk will be “From Atheist to Believer: A Personal Voyage.” Nicholi will be the respondent.

The Feb. 4 topic will be “Can a Geneticist Be a Believer? Evolution and Other Challenges” with Miller as respondent.

On Feb. 5 the topic is “Genetics, Ethics, and Faith,” with respondent Peters.

For more information, call (617) 495-5508.