Our genes make us who we are. DNA is our destiny. And our ancestry. Neither of these statements are correct, but offer simple and seductive explanations that obscure the much more complicated reality. Jonathan Pettitt (The University of Aberdeen) will attempt to distinguish the hype from heredity. In a wide-ranging overview of the past, present and future of human genetics, he will address controversial questions, such as: 'is race a scientific concept?', 'are designer babies something to worry about?' and 'why does my earwax smell?'.