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While it's true that the proliferation of authors on scientific papers is becoming a problem, I don't think it's true in the case of Dr. Collins. Frequently, a research paper is the culmination of several projects. Data from several avenues of investigation are combined to reach the final conclusion. The primary author of the paper is the one who coordinates this work, and may or may not perform any of the actual experiments. While he oversees the labwork, he can't be there every minute, and it's possible to fool him.
Papers with dozens of authors are often very technical, and the technicians who run the equipment sometimes insist on being authors, even if they had no input into the conception, design, or execution of the experiment. Rules are currently being evolved to cut down on this problem. You are also correct when you note that some department heads insist on having their names on any paper that comes out of the department. They should be shot.
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