The 2009 TIME 100 Finalists

Cast your votes for the leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and thinkers who deserve a spot on this year's TIME 100. — By Brian Raftery

Craig Venter

Genomics pioneer and Nobel Prize Craig Venter

Zunino Celotto / Getty

AGE: 62
OCCUPATION: Geneticist
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 2

PRO: The genome-research pioneer is focusing on the environment, developing clean-burning biofuels and microbes that can turn coal into easier-to-manage methane gas.

CON: His plan to install "micro-refineries" around the world is ambitious — and expensive.

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