English subtitles for clip: File:President Obama Speaks on the Precision Medicine Initiative.webm
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1 00:00:00,233 --> 00:00:02,973 Elana Simon: Hi, my name is Elana Simon. 2 00:00:02,969 --> 00:00:04,969 I'm 19 years old and currently studying 3 00:00:04,971 --> 00:00:06,811 computer science at Harvard. 4 00:00:06,806 --> 00:00:08,046 When I was 12 years old. 5 00:00:08,041 --> 00:00:10,541 I was diagnosed with a rare pediatric liver cancer 6 00:00:10,543 --> 00:00:13,943 called fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. 7 00:00:13,947 --> 00:00:16,017 Thanks to incredible technological advances, 8 00:00:16,015 --> 00:00:19,515 the help of scientists, and the fibrolamellar community, 9 00:00:19,519 --> 00:00:21,889 I was able to identify the change in the DNA that 10 00:00:21,888 --> 00:00:23,928 leads to this cancer. 11 00:00:23,923 --> 00:00:26,863 Rather than trying to broadly learn about all of our cancers, 12 00:00:26,860 --> 00:00:29,930 I just examined a small, well defined patient group; 13 00:00:29,929 --> 00:00:32,699 which is what allowed for such a precise discovery. 14 00:00:32,699 --> 00:00:34,869 With this knowledge, we're now working on developing the first 15 00:00:34,868 --> 00:00:38,538 diagnostic tests and new treatments for fibrolamellar. 16 00:00:38,538 --> 00:00:40,678 Last year at the White House Science Fair, 17 00:00:40,673 --> 00:00:43,843 I met the President and got to discuss my research with him. 18 00:00:43,843 --> 00:00:47,343 It was such an honor to meet him then and so it is with great 19 00:00:47,347 --> 00:00:50,187 pleasure that I introduce the President to you today. 20 00:00:50,183 --> 00:00:50,953 The President: Hey. 21 00:00:50,950 --> 00:00:53,550 (applause) 22 00:00:56,756 --> 00:00:58,096 I'm proud of you. 23 00:00:59,325 --> 00:01:00,365 Good job. 24 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:02,660 (applause) 25 00:01:06,132 --> 00:01:08,772 The President: Well, thank you so much, Elana, 26 00:01:08,768 --> 00:01:11,968 for that wonderful introduction. 27 00:01:11,971 --> 00:01:15,171 Let me just be clear, when I was 19, 28 00:01:15,175 --> 00:01:19,745 I was not doing genetic testing. 29 00:01:19,746 --> 00:01:21,716 (laughter) 30 00:01:26,352 --> 00:01:29,592 When I met Elana at the White House Science Fair 31 00:01:29,589 --> 00:01:35,459 last year, she tried to explain her research to me -- 32 00:01:35,462 --> 00:01:40,162 and to help her explain her findings, she made 33 00:01:40,166 --> 00:01:44,476 these giant pink chromosomes out of swim noodles, 34 00:01:44,471 --> 00:01:46,101 (laughter) 35 00:01:46,105 --> 00:01:47,545 which was helpful to me -- 36 00:01:47,540 --> 00:01:50,280 (laughter) 37 00:01:50,276 --> 00:01:52,146 -- because I know what swim noodles are, 38 00:01:52,145 --> 00:01:55,445 and I saw how they fit together. 39 00:01:57,851 --> 00:02:04,161 But I could not have been more impressed with Elana. 40 00:02:04,157 --> 00:02:08,727 And she represents the incredible talent 41 00:02:08,728 --> 00:02:13,338 and energy and possibility of our young people, 42 00:02:13,333 --> 00:02:15,633 and so I'm so proud of her and I'm so grateful 43 00:02:15,635 --> 00:02:18,475 that she introduced me here today. 44 00:02:18,471 --> 00:02:22,911 And she's doing great at Harvard from what I understand. 45 00:02:22,909 --> 00:02:25,249 So those of you who are interested in purchasing 46 00:02:25,245 --> 00:02:26,445 stock in her -- 47 00:02:26,446 --> 00:02:28,486 (laughter) 48 00:02:30,683 --> 00:02:33,753 -- I'm sure she has an agent of some sort that 49 00:02:33,753 --> 00:02:35,853 you can talk to. 50 00:02:35,855 --> 00:02:38,095 We've got some folks here who are doing 51 00:02:38,091 --> 00:02:41,231 outstanding work to keep Americans healthy. 52 00:02:41,227 --> 00:02:44,197 We have America's Health and Human Services 53 00:02:44,197 --> 00:02:47,167 Secretary, Sylvia Burwell. 54 00:02:47,166 --> 00:02:48,236 You can give her a round of applause. 55 00:02:48,234 --> 00:02:49,734 (applause) 56 00:02:49,736 --> 00:02:51,136 She's worthy of it. 57 00:02:56,643 --> 00:02:59,983 We've got our Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy. 58 00:02:59,979 --> 00:03:00,609 Where's Vivek? 59 00:03:00,613 --> 00:03:02,483 (applause) 60 00:03:02,482 --> 00:03:03,922 Stand up, Vivek. 61 00:03:06,119 --> 00:03:08,789 Our new Surgeon General. 62 00:03:08,788 --> 00:03:10,058 We haven't had one in a while. 63 00:03:10,056 --> 00:03:10,926 (laughter) 64 00:03:10,924 --> 00:03:13,464 So we're really happy to have him here. 65 00:03:13,459 --> 00:03:16,559 And he looks sharp in his uniform. 66 00:03:16,563 --> 00:03:20,963 We have Dr. Harold Varmus of the National Cancer Institute. 67 00:03:20,967 --> 00:03:21,797 Harold. 68 00:03:21,801 --> 00:03:24,601 (applause) 69 00:03:27,640 --> 00:03:30,340 We have the singing scientist, Dr. Francis Collins, 70 00:03:30,343 --> 00:03:31,143 of NIH here. 71 00:03:31,144 --> 00:03:34,184 (applause) 72 00:03:37,183 --> 00:03:38,723 And we have my science advisor, 73 00:03:38,718 --> 00:03:40,888 Dr. John Holdren, who does not sing. 74 00:03:40,887 --> 00:03:43,827 (applause) 75 00:03:46,326 --> 00:03:49,596 For anyone wondering, "Is there a doctor 76 00:03:49,596 --> 00:03:50,866 in the house?" 77 00:03:50,863 --> 00:03:53,203 -- we have got you covered. 78 00:03:53,199 --> 00:03:56,539 We also have members of Congress who are here. 79 00:03:56,536 --> 00:03:59,636 Lamar Alexander from the great state of Tennessee 80 00:03:59,639 --> 00:04:02,039 is one of the Senate's key supporters of encouraging 81 00:04:02,041 --> 00:04:04,981 medical innovation, and I'm so looking forward 82 00:04:04,978 --> 00:04:06,948 to working with him. 83 00:04:06,946 --> 00:04:10,246 Give Lamar a big round of applause. 84 00:04:10,249 --> 00:04:12,619 (applause) 85 00:04:13,219 --> 00:04:15,189 Senator Patty Murray is prepared to work with 86 00:04:15,188 --> 00:04:16,058 him on this issue. 87 00:04:16,055 --> 00:04:17,225 She couldn't make it here today. 88 00:04:17,223 --> 00:04:19,463 But we do have on the House side, 89 00:04:19,459 --> 00:04:22,729 Congresswoman Diana DeGette, who is here 90 00:04:22,729 --> 00:04:24,899 and who is leading this effort in the House. 91 00:04:24,897 --> 00:04:25,767 We're very proud of her. 92 00:04:25,765 --> 00:04:27,765 (applause) 93 00:04:28,601 --> 00:04:31,141 Now, last week, in my State of the Union Address, 94 00:04:31,137 --> 00:04:35,607 I focused on what we need to do to make sure middle-class 95 00:04:35,608 --> 00:04:39,048 economics helps more Americans get ahead in the new economy. 96 00:04:39,045 --> 00:04:41,615 We've got to help working families make ends meet 97 00:04:41,614 --> 00:04:46,724 and make them feel more secure in a constantly changing, 98 00:04:46,719 --> 00:04:49,159 dynamic, global economy. 99 00:04:49,155 --> 00:04:51,395 We have to offer more opportunities for people 100 00:04:51,391 --> 00:04:54,631 to upgrade their skills for better-paying jobs 101 00:04:54,627 --> 00:04:55,627 in this economy. 102 00:04:55,628 --> 00:04:58,368 And we've got to build the world's most competitive 103 00:04:58,364 --> 00:05:00,964 economy so that businesses create jobs here 104 00:05:00,967 --> 00:05:05,337 in the United States and not someplace else. 105 00:05:05,338 --> 00:05:08,778 And that last part is what I want to focus on today. 106 00:05:08,775 --> 00:05:12,245 We've invited some of America's brightest minds 107 00:05:12,245 --> 00:05:18,985 in medicine and technology; some of our strongest 108 00:05:18,985 --> 00:05:21,725 advocates for privacy. 109 00:05:21,721 --> 00:05:24,861 And perhaps most importantly, we've invited patients 110 00:05:24,857 --> 00:05:29,997 who have the most at stake in these efforts. 111 00:05:30,663 --> 00:05:36,473 And we're here to harness what is most special about 112 00:05:36,469 --> 00:05:40,009 America, and that is our spirit of innovation; 113 00:05:40,006 --> 00:05:42,746 our ability to dream and take risks, 114 00:05:42,742 --> 00:05:46,812 and tinker and try new things. 115 00:05:48,881 --> 00:05:52,181 And as a result of that, it will not only improve 116 00:05:52,185 --> 00:05:56,725 our economy, but improve the lives of men 117 00:05:56,723 --> 00:05:59,793 and women and children for generations to come. 118 00:05:59,792 --> 00:06:03,192 And together, what's so exciting is, 119 00:06:03,196 --> 00:06:06,936 is that we have the possibility of leading an entirely new 120 00:06:06,933 --> 00:06:10,573 era of medicine that makes sure new jobs and new 121 00:06:10,570 --> 00:06:14,470 industries and new lifesaving treatments for diseases 122 00:06:14,474 --> 00:06:18,214 are created right here in the United States. 123 00:06:18,211 --> 00:06:21,281 Because we shouldn't just celebrate innovation. 124 00:06:21,280 --> 00:06:23,650 We have to invest in innovation. 125 00:06:23,649 --> 00:06:25,749 We have to nurture innovation. 126 00:06:25,752 --> 00:06:30,492 We have to encourage it and make sure that we're 127 00:06:30,490 --> 00:06:34,830 channeling it in ways that are most productive. 128 00:06:34,827 --> 00:06:38,397 And that's especially true when it comes to medicine. 129 00:06:38,397 --> 00:06:41,037 After all, when American researchers developed 130 00:06:41,033 --> 00:06:45,273 a vaccine for polio, a program created by Congress helped 131 00:06:45,271 --> 00:06:47,071 to distribute it. 132 00:06:47,073 --> 00:06:49,343 A federally funded study helped American doctors 133 00:06:49,342 --> 00:06:52,582 discover the risk factors for heart disease. 134 00:06:52,578 --> 00:06:57,118 Grants from the National Science Foundation and NIH supported 135 00:06:57,116 --> 00:07:00,816 the early experiments that led to the invention of the MRI. 136 00:07:00,820 --> 00:07:03,960 And these kinds of investments don't always pay off. 137 00:07:03,956 --> 00:07:11,396 Basic research, by definition, will sometimes lead us down 138 00:07:11,397 --> 00:07:14,997 blind alleys, but it will also tell us what we don't 139 00:07:15,001 --> 00:07:20,011 know, which then helps us figure out new pathways. 140 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:27,280 And when things do pay off, then they create economic 141 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:30,520 opportunities in ways that we could never imagine. 142 00:07:30,516 --> 00:07:34,456 So, Francis, Dr. Collins here, helped lead 143 00:07:34,453 --> 00:07:36,453 the Human Genome Project, and we've got a number 144 00:07:36,455 --> 00:07:40,325 of people here who are deeply involved in that process. 145 00:07:40,326 --> 00:07:42,766 And one study found that every dollar we spent 146 00:07:42,762 --> 00:07:45,532 to map the human genome has already returned 147 00:07:45,531 --> 00:07:50,701 $140 to our economy. 148 00:07:50,703 --> 00:07:56,613 There's a huge economic stake in us tapping into this innovation. 149 00:07:56,609 --> 00:07:59,009 (applause) 150 00:07:59,011 --> 00:08:01,551 There's nothing wrong with clapping about that. 151 00:08:04,450 --> 00:08:06,490 But as anybody who's ever watched a loved one battle 152 00:08:06,485 --> 00:08:12,425 with an illness, particularly a life-threatening illness -- 153 00:08:12,425 --> 00:08:15,695 and I suspect that there's nobody here who hasn't 154 00:08:15,695 --> 00:08:19,265 been touched in some fashion by that experience -- 155 00:08:19,265 --> 00:08:21,835 what everybody here understands is that the most 156 00:08:21,834 --> 00:08:25,304 important impact these investments can have can't 157 00:08:25,304 --> 00:08:28,844 be measured in dollars. 158 00:08:28,841 --> 00:08:31,141 If we have an opportunity to prevent hurt and heartbreak 159 00:08:31,143 --> 00:08:34,513 for more families; if we have the opportunity to help 160 00:08:34,513 --> 00:08:37,553 people live longer, happier, healthier lives; 161 00:08:37,550 --> 00:08:41,290 if we have the chance to make sure that a young person like 162 00:08:41,287 --> 00:08:47,297 Elana, who was stricken by a disease before their life has 163 00:08:47,293 --> 00:08:51,263 even really gotten going, if we have a chance to make sure that 164 00:08:51,264 --> 00:08:57,274 they're okay and cured, and then able to make incredible 165 00:08:57,270 --> 00:09:01,510 contributions our society, then we've got to seize that. 166 00:09:01,507 --> 00:09:04,847 We've got to go after that. 167 00:09:04,844 --> 00:09:07,384 And that's why we're here today. 168 00:09:07,380 --> 00:09:12,420 Because something called precision medicine -- in some 169 00:09:12,418 --> 00:09:14,418 cases, people call it personalized medicine -- 170 00:09:14,420 --> 00:09:17,420 gives us one of the greatest opportunities 171 00:09:17,423 --> 00:09:22,833 for new medical breakthroughs that we have ever seen. 172 00:09:22,828 --> 00:09:26,798 Doctors have always recognized that every patient is unique, 173 00:09:26,799 --> 00:09:28,799 and doctors have always tried to tailor their 174 00:09:28,801 --> 00:09:32,371 treatments as best they can to individuals. 175 00:09:32,371 --> 00:09:35,611 You can match a blood transfusion to a blood type. 176 00:09:35,608 --> 00:09:39,378 That was an important discovery. 177 00:09:39,378 --> 00:09:42,578 What if matching a cancer cure to our genetic 178 00:09:42,581 --> 00:09:46,991 code was just as easy, just as standard? 179 00:09:46,986 --> 00:09:49,056 What if figuring out the right dose of medicine 180 00:09:49,055 --> 00:09:52,825 was as simple as taking our temperature? 181 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,760 And that's the promise of precision medicine -- 182 00:09:56,762 --> 00:09:59,002 delivering the right treatments, 183 00:09:58,998 --> 00:10:03,338 at the right time, every time to the right person. 184 00:10:03,336 --> 00:10:06,836 And for a small but growing number 185 00:10:06,839 --> 00:10:09,139 of patients, that future is already here. 186 00:10:11,877 --> 00:10:15,417 Eight out of 10 people with one type of leukemia saw 187 00:10:15,414 --> 00:10:19,014 white blood cell counts return to normal with a new drug 188 00:10:19,018 --> 00:10:20,658 targeting a specific gene. 189 00:10:23,122 --> 00:10:26,822 Genetic testing for HIV patients helps doctors 190 00:10:26,826 --> 00:10:29,996 determine who will be helped by a new antiviral drug, 191 00:10:29,996 --> 00:10:34,166 and who will experience harmful side effects. 192 00:10:34,166 --> 00:10:36,906 And advances in technology means these breakthroughs 193 00:10:36,902 --> 00:10:40,872 could just be the beginning. 194 00:10:40,873 --> 00:10:43,073 The year Dr. Collins helped sequence the first 195 00:10:43,075 --> 00:10:47,175 human genome, it cost about $100 million dollars, 196 00:10:47,179 --> 00:10:49,679 and today it costs less than $2,000. 197 00:10:52,151 --> 00:10:54,851 Wearable electronics make it easier than ever to record 198 00:10:54,854 --> 00:10:58,524 vital signs from your blood sugar to your heart rate. 199 00:10:58,524 --> 00:11:01,224 Electronic medical records let doctors and researchers across 200 00:11:01,227 --> 00:11:03,967 the country collaborate more closely than ever before. 201 00:11:03,963 --> 00:11:07,303 And more powerful computers help us analyze data faster 202 00:11:07,299 --> 00:11:09,199 than ever before. 203 00:11:09,201 --> 00:11:13,911 So if we combine all these emerging technologies, 204 00:11:13,906 --> 00:11:20,376 if we focus them and make sure that the connections are made, 205 00:11:20,379 --> 00:11:23,149 then the possibility of discovering new cures, 206 00:11:23,149 --> 00:11:27,289 the possibility of applying medicines more efficiently 207 00:11:27,286 --> 00:11:31,756 and more effectively so that the success rates are 208 00:11:31,757 --> 00:11:35,297 higher, so that there's less waste in the system, 209 00:11:35,294 --> 00:11:38,634 which then means more resources to help more 210 00:11:38,631 --> 00:11:43,331 people -- the possibilities are boundless. 211 00:11:43,335 --> 00:11:46,405 So the time is right to unleash a new wave 212 00:11:46,405 --> 00:11:49,445 of advances in this area, in precision medicine, 213 00:11:49,442 --> 00:11:53,142 just like we did with genetics 25 years ago. 214 00:11:53,145 --> 00:11:57,085 And the really good news -- this is how you know that 215 00:12:00,219 --> 00:12:03,689 the moment is right, is there's bipartisan support 216 00:12:03,689 --> 00:12:04,519 for the idea -- 217 00:12:04,523 --> 00:12:06,163 (laughter) 218 00:12:06,158 --> 00:12:06,888 -- here in Washington. 219 00:12:06,892 --> 00:12:09,092 (applause) 220 00:12:10,196 --> 00:12:11,526 Which -- 221 00:12:15,701 --> 00:12:16,901 Which makes me very happy. 222 00:12:16,902 --> 00:12:19,342 (laughter) 223 00:12:19,338 --> 00:12:23,478 When I was a senator back in 2005, 224 00:12:23,476 --> 00:12:26,946 I worked with Republican Senator Richard Burr 225 00:12:26,946 --> 00:12:31,586 on a bill supporting precision medicine. 226 00:12:31,584 --> 00:12:34,424 Newly elected Republican Senator Bill Cassidy -- 227 00:12:34,420 --> 00:12:38,820 who also happens to be a gastroenterologist -- 228 00:12:38,824 --> 00:12:41,764 recently called precision medicine, "An incredible 229 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:44,200 area of promise." 230 00:12:44,196 --> 00:12:49,636 And that's why the budget I send this Congress on Monday 231 00:12:49,635 --> 00:12:52,905 will include a new Precision Medicine Initiative that 232 00:12:52,905 --> 00:12:56,575 brings America closer to curing diseases like cancer 233 00:12:56,575 --> 00:13:01,685 and diabetes, and gives all of us access, potentially, 234 00:13:01,680 --> 00:13:03,350 to the personalized information that we need 235 00:13:03,349 --> 00:13:07,419 to keep ourselves and our families healthier. 236 00:13:07,419 --> 00:13:10,319 So let me just outline the facets of this. 237 00:13:10,322 --> 00:13:13,322 First, we're going to work with the National Cancer Institute. 238 00:13:13,325 --> 00:13:15,825 We want to find the genetic factors that 239 00:13:15,828 --> 00:13:16,828 can lead to cancer. 240 00:13:16,829 --> 00:13:19,369 And we want to use that knowledge to develop 241 00:13:19,365 --> 00:13:21,705 new and more effective approaches to help people 242 00:13:21,700 --> 00:13:24,270 beat this disease. 243 00:13:24,270 --> 00:13:27,270 Second, we're going to work with the FDA to develop new 244 00:13:27,273 --> 00:13:31,773 approaches for evaluating next-generation genetic tests. 245 00:13:31,777 --> 00:13:35,517 The way we approve a new gene-sequencing technology 246 00:13:35,514 --> 00:13:37,514 is going to be different than the way we approve 247 00:13:37,516 --> 00:13:40,156 a new pacemaker or prosthetic device. 248 00:13:40,152 --> 00:13:42,552 And we need to make sure that our approach 249 00:13:42,555 --> 00:13:48,395 reflects the difference in technology. 250 00:13:48,394 --> 00:13:49,994 Third, we're going to work with 251 00:13:49,995 --> 00:13:51,995 the National Institutes of Health to create 252 00:13:51,997 --> 00:13:54,867 a research group of one million volunteers. 253 00:13:56,100 --> 00:13:59,940 And just like analyzing our DNA teaches us more about who we 254 00:13:59,939 --> 00:14:03,039 are than ever before, analyzing data from one of the largest 255 00:14:03,042 --> 00:14:07,242 research populations ever assembled will teach us more 256 00:14:07,246 --> 00:14:11,386 about the connections between us than ever before. 257 00:14:11,383 --> 00:14:13,453 And this new information will help doctors 258 00:14:13,452 --> 00:14:17,392 discover the causes, and one day the cures, of some 259 00:14:17,389 --> 00:14:20,529 of the most deadly diseases that we face. 260 00:14:20,526 --> 00:14:25,666 So if we have a big data set, a big pool of people that's 261 00:14:25,664 --> 00:14:30,134 varied, then that allows us to really map out 262 00:14:30,135 --> 00:14:33,975 not only the genome of one person, but now 263 00:14:33,973 --> 00:14:36,343 we can start seeing connections what it is that 264 00:14:42,715 --> 00:14:45,955 we're trying to do with respect to treatment. 265 00:14:45,951 --> 00:14:47,951 And finally, we're going to make sure that protecting 266 00:14:47,953 --> 00:14:51,823 patient privacy is built into our efforts from day one. 267 00:14:51,824 --> 00:14:53,824 And I'm proud we have so many patients' 268 00:14:53,826 --> 00:14:55,826 rights advocates with us here today. 269 00:14:55,828 --> 00:14:57,828 They're not going to be on the sidelines. 270 00:14:57,830 --> 00:14:59,830 It's not going to be an afterthought. 271 00:14:59,832 --> 00:15:01,832 They'll help us design this initiative from the ground 272 00:15:01,834 --> 00:15:05,304 up, making sure that we harness new technologies 273 00:15:05,304 --> 00:15:07,304 and opportunities in a responsible way. 274 00:15:09,308 --> 00:15:11,448 So the Precision Medicine Initiative we're launching 275 00:15:11,443 --> 00:15:14,183 today will lay the foundation for a new generation 276 00:15:14,179 --> 00:15:15,349 of lifesaving discoveries. 277 00:15:15,347 --> 00:15:19,487 But in order for us to realize its potential, 278 00:15:19,485 --> 00:15:21,955 I'm asking more hospitals, and researchers, 279 00:15:21,954 --> 00:15:24,894 and privacy experts to join us in this effort. 280 00:15:24,890 --> 00:15:28,130 And I'm asking entrepreneurs and non-profits 281 00:15:28,127 --> 00:15:31,167 to help us create tools that give patients the chance 282 00:15:31,163 --> 00:15:34,163 to get involved as well. 283 00:15:34,166 --> 00:15:36,166 Because we want every American ultimately 284 00:15:36,168 --> 00:15:39,408 to be able to securely access and analyze their 285 00:15:39,405 --> 00:15:42,245 own health data, so that they can make the best 286 00:15:42,241 --> 00:15:46,941 decisions for themselves and for their families. 287 00:15:46,945 --> 00:15:51,885 And ultimately, this has the possibility of not only 288 00:15:51,884 --> 00:15:57,554 helping us find new cures, but it also helps us create 289 00:15:57,556 --> 00:16:00,126 a genuine health care system as opposed to just 290 00:16:00,125 --> 00:16:02,665 a disease care system. 291 00:16:02,661 --> 00:16:05,601 Part of what we want to do is to allow each of us to have 292 00:16:05,597 --> 00:16:12,207 sufficient information about our particular quirks -- 293 00:16:12,204 --> 00:16:13,844 (laughter) 294 00:16:13,839 --> 00:16:18,279 -- that we can make better life decisions. 295 00:16:18,277 --> 00:16:22,117 And that, ultimately, is one of the most promising aspects 296 00:16:22,114 --> 00:16:25,554 about this -- making sure that we've got a system that 297 00:16:25,551 --> 00:16:28,451 focuses on prevention and keeping healthy, 298 00:16:28,454 --> 00:16:33,494 not just on curing diseases after they happen. 299 00:16:33,492 --> 00:16:36,532 Medical breakthroughs take time, and this area 300 00:16:36,528 --> 00:16:39,598 of precision medicine will be no different. 301 00:16:39,598 --> 00:16:42,198 But the patients with us this morning are living 302 00:16:42,201 --> 00:16:45,641 proof that the dawn of a new era has arrived. 303 00:16:47,639 --> 00:16:51,409 If we start today, and seize this moment, 304 00:16:51,410 --> 00:16:54,350 and the focus and the energy and the resources 305 00:16:54,346 --> 00:16:57,316 that it demands, there is no telling how many lives 306 00:16:57,316 --> 00:16:58,316 we could change. 307 00:16:58,317 --> 00:17:00,757 And every single one of those lives matter. 308 00:17:03,689 --> 00:17:05,759 Bill Elder was one of Michelle's guests 309 00:17:05,758 --> 00:17:08,058 at the State of the Union last week. 310 00:17:08,060 --> 00:17:09,290 Where's Bill? 311 00:17:09,294 --> 00:17:09,924 Here he is. 312 00:17:09,928 --> 00:17:10,698 Stand up, Bill. 313 00:17:10,696 --> 00:17:12,996 (applause) 314 00:17:17,936 --> 00:17:19,236 Bill is a good-looking, young guy. 315 00:17:19,238 --> 00:17:21,978 (laughter) 316 00:17:22,908 --> 00:17:25,678 And about 20 years ago, 317 00:17:25,677 --> 00:17:27,917 Bill was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. 318 00:17:29,948 --> 00:17:34,088 But it turns out Bill is one of 4 percent of cystic fibrosis 319 00:17:34,086 --> 00:17:37,726 patients whose disease is caused by a particular mutation 320 00:17:37,723 --> 00:17:40,193 in one gene. 321 00:17:40,192 --> 00:17:42,532 And a few years ago, the FDA fast-tracked a new 322 00:17:42,528 --> 00:17:48,338 drug target specifically targeting that mutation. 323 00:17:48,333 --> 00:17:53,403 And one night in 2012, Bill tried it for the first time. 324 00:17:53,405 --> 00:17:55,405 Just a few hours later he woke up, 325 00:17:55,407 --> 00:17:57,477 knowing something was different, and finally 326 00:17:57,476 --> 00:17:59,476 he realized what it was: He had never been able 327 00:17:59,478 --> 00:18:01,478 to breathe out of his nose before. 328 00:18:03,916 --> 00:18:05,886 Think about that. 329 00:18:05,884 --> 00:18:08,584 So Bill is now 27. 330 00:18:08,587 --> 00:18:11,557 When he was born, 27 was the median age 331 00:18:11,557 --> 00:18:15,497 of survival for a cystic fibrosis patient. 332 00:18:15,494 --> 00:18:19,594 Today, Bill is in his third year of medical school. 333 00:18:19,598 --> 00:18:21,368 And "for the first time in my life," Bill said -- 334 00:18:21,366 --> 00:18:24,566 (applause) 335 00:18:30,309 --> 00:18:32,849 for the first time in his life, he says, 336 00:18:32,845 --> 00:18:35,315 "I truly believe that I will live long enough 337 00:18:35,314 --> 00:18:36,314 to be a grandfather." 338 00:18:40,540 --> 00:18:45,320 And one day Bill will be able to tell his grandchildren 339 00:18:45,324 --> 00:18:51,094 about how he used the miracle of his own life 340 00:18:51,096 --> 00:18:55,366 to not only serve as an example, but also 341 00:18:55,367 --> 00:19:00,837 an inspiration and ultimately a pathway for 342 00:19:00,839 --> 00:19:03,439 his own career to help save the lives of other people. 343 00:19:05,611 --> 00:19:08,951 And that's the spirit of hope, and resilience, 344 00:19:08,947 --> 00:19:12,417 and community that's always carried America forward. 345 00:19:15,740 --> 00:19:19,420 And we may disagree sometimes, especially here in Washington, 346 00:19:19,424 --> 00:19:22,564 but we do share a common vision for our future. 347 00:19:22,561 --> 00:19:25,361 We want an economy powered by the world's 348 00:19:25,364 --> 00:19:28,004 best innovations, the best ideas. 349 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,970 We want a country that extends its promise of opportunity to 350 00:19:30,969 --> 00:19:34,239 everybody who's willing to work for it. 351 00:19:34,239 --> 00:19:39,949 We want to have a nation in which the accidents and 352 00:19:39,945 --> 00:19:43,315 circumstances of our birth aren't determining our fate, 353 00:19:43,315 --> 00:19:48,685 and therefore born with a particular disease 354 00:19:48,687 --> 00:19:56,497 or a particular genetic makeup that makes us more 355 00:19:56,495 --> 00:20:00,765 vulnerable to something; that that's not our destiny, 356 00:20:00,766 --> 00:20:04,566 that's not our fate -- that we can remake it. 357 00:20:04,570 --> 00:20:07,710 That's who we are as Americans, and that's 358 00:20:07,706 --> 00:20:09,676 the power of scientific discovery. 359 00:20:09,675 --> 00:20:15,015 And we want Bill's generation, and the generations that come 360 00:20:15,013 --> 00:20:19,213 after, to inherit that most extraordinary gift anybody can 361 00:20:19,217 --> 00:20:22,557 imagine, and that is not just a chance to live a long, 362 00:20:22,554 --> 00:20:26,124 and happy, and healthy life in this greatest country on Earth, 363 00:20:26,124 --> 00:20:32,734 but also the chance to remake that world continuously, 364 00:20:32,731 --> 00:20:37,841 in ways that provide great promise for future generations. 365 00:20:37,836 --> 00:20:40,536 So I'm very excited about this. 366 00:20:40,539 --> 00:20:41,909 I hope you are, too. 367 00:20:41,907 --> 00:20:42,437 Thank you, everybody. 368 00:20:42,441 --> 00:20:42,941 God bless you. 369 00:20:42,941 --> 00:20:43,981 (applause) 370 00:20:43,976 --> 00:20:45,346 God bless the United States. 371 00:20:45,344 --> 00:20:46,314 Let's get to work.