New Members on the HGC

David Sainsbury, the Minister fot Science, has appointed new members to the Human Genetics Commission. All are broadly in line with the consensus of 'great and good', a pallid improvement upon the bioconservatives favoured by  America.

Dr Frances Flinter - Senior lecturer in clinical genetics at Kings College, London and Honorary Consultant in Clinical Genetics as well as Clinical Director of Children's Services and Genetics at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

- Professor Christopher Higgins - Director of Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre and Head of Division of Clinical Sciences at Imperial College, London

- Dr Rosemary Leonard - GP and resident GP on BBC1's Breakfast News, a contributor and weekly columnist with the Daily Express and a consultant medical editor of Woman and Home magazine.

- Ms Lola Oni OBE - Specialist nurse in the field of sickle cell, Thalassaemia and related genetic conditions who has held her current post as service director and lecturer for ten years.

- Ms Alice Maynard - Managing director of a company she founded to help organisations target people in traditionally hard to reach parts of the community.

- Professor Sarah Cunningham-Burley - Professor of Medical and Family Sociology and also a co-director at the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, both at the University of Edinburgh.

- Mrs Ros Gardner - a self employed management consultant specialising in customer care and complaint policies.

The spread of skills leads one to worry about whether these advisors will champion individual choice at the expense of collective goals such as social justice or  unnecessary public health.