Science reveals its glam side

Schoolchildren from across the country challenged scientists over whether genetic advances were allowing them to play God during a junior question time at the Royal Society last week. While some of the GCSE students seemed more interested in taking photographs of science celebrity Lord Winston, who was sitting in the audience, others commented that the event had opened their eyes to issues such as designer babies.

But science communication clearly has a long way to go. One schoolgirl told the Diary: "I was surprised by the panel. There were two women and they looked modern and glamorous. I thought scientists were all old men who sat behind desks."