This week we are welcoming Chris Chatterton as BioNews' new genetics editor. Chris has a degree in Biological Sciences from King's College, London, and an MA in Genetics, Culture and Society from Lancaster University. Chris is currently completing his PhD which is entitled 'Metabolic Syndrome: The construction of a group of risk factors into a new disease?' He has also worked in research at the Institute of Child Health. This edition contains Chris' first article for BioNews.

Chris is replacing Dr Gabrielle Samuel, who shortly after joining us Genetics Editor was offered the opportunity to study for a funded PhD entitled 'The Ethical, Social and Clinical aspects of Media Representations of Experimental Neuroscience' at King's College, London. This will be Gabrielle's second PhD and we wish her every success. We are delighted to announce that she will continue to write for BioNews as a volunteer.