BioNews 1000: Our readers on why they subscribe to us

Celebrating the 1000th issue of BioNews this month, some of the influential readers of BioNews told us what the publication means to them.

From outstanding academics at all stages of their careers, leaders of patient support charities, scholarly societies, research funders and leading family lawyers, we hear what makes BioNews indispensable to so many.

To help BioNews continue as a free service for another 1000 editions, we are asking all of our readers to contribute to our 1000 Tenners Appeal, and please donate at least £10 by clicking here.

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Dr Roy Farquharson, chair, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

'ESHRE welcomes the 1000th edition of BioNews as an accurate and reliable forum for salient matters within the expanding field of Reproductive Science and Clinical Practice. Patient information needs to be objective, clear and understandable and BioNews has maintained good standards as well as encouraging wide dissemination of important advances.'

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Dr Jane Stewart, chair, British Fertility Society

'Congratulations from the BFS on the 1000th edition of BioNews – that is quite a feat. BioNews is always current, not afraid to be provocative or controversial but always with an eye to evidence. As a "free" publication it excels. I would advise all those working in our field of reproductive medicine to subscribe - but don't forget to donate too! Looking forward to 2000th!'

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Dr Vardit Ratvitsky, bioethicist and associate professor, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Canada

'For years now, BioNews had been an invaluable source for me, my colleagues, my research team and my students here in Montreal. Providing informative, clear, accessible and timely articles and commentaries, it has become a publication that we expect every week with excitement. Covering emerging scientific and policy developments from around the world in a balanced non-biased fashion, it is truly an unparalleled resource that the research community greatly benefits from.'

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Imran Khan, head of public engagement, Wellcome Trust

'BioNews provides a really useful source of updates on genomics and assisted reproduction. The range of views that the Comment section includes enriches the discussion on various contemporary issues in the field. Wellcome is delighted to support BioNews and is looking forward seeing to the changes that PET has planned to improve the reader experience.'

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Professor Jason Kasraie, chair, Association of Clinical Embryologists

'BioNews is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the field of reproduction and genetics. As a source of commentary and impartial news on developments in assisted conception it is a great way to stay up to date with the latest developments in the field. ACE members gain huge benefit from this excellent resource.'

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Professor Susan Golombok, professor of family research and director, Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge

'BioNews is a remarkable and unsurpassed resource that has played a crucial role in keeping social scientists abreast of developments in the field of reproduction that we would not otherwise have known about. It has also been a most reliable companion – if it's Monday it must be BioNews! Looking forward to the next 1000 editions!'

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Ruth Wilde, infertility counsellor

'It's my go-to place to find out what is going on in the world of fertility and genetics. BioNews never misses a relevant story and can be relied on to present factual, unbiased information, whilst also providing a platform for people to share their opinions on current controversies and contribute to the debate. I have recommended [BioNews] to many fertility patients who find it so helpful as an honest and transparent source of the latest news and views – a rarity in a field full of over-inflated claims of efficacy in assisted reproductive technology.'

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Professor Anneke Lucassen, chair, British Society for Genetic Medicine

'The Progress Educational Trust continues to inform debate on genetics, genomics and assisted conception, via its free flagship publication BioNews. Through news, comments and review articles, scientists, clinicians, journalists and anyone interested, can stay abreast of recent developments in this area. Congratulations on your 1000th issue BioNews! Please keep up the great work you do.'

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Emily Jackson, professor of law, London School of Economics and Political Science

'BioNews is an invaluable resource for teachers and students of medical law and ethics. It provides a perfect balance of news and informed commentary, as well as useful links to articles and events. Thank you to all at PET for continuing to make this available free of charge to everyone.'

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Baroness Ruth Deech, QC (Hon)

'For 1000 issues BioNews has been keeping everyone interested in reproductive medicine and allied topics abreast of the news and developments. It is clear and scholarly, interesting and up to date. I don't know how we would manage without it! Best wishes for the next 1000 issues.'

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Professor Sir Doug Turnbull, professor of neurology, Newcastle University

'BioNews played a crucial role in the debate about mitochondrial donation. Always providing factual information and commentaries, BioNews ensured that discussions focused on the scientific evidence and helped ensure that women who carry mitochondrial DNA mutations have more reproductive choice.'

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Professor Guido Pennings, professor of ethics and bioethics, Bioethics Institute Ghent, Ghent University

'I know BioNews for longer than I remember, in fact since I met Marcus Pembrey, then Chair of Trustees at PET, at an ESHRE meeting. Since then, PET and BioNews has evolved from small to big without changing its core DNA. It not only informs the world about new developments in reproduction and genetics but also stimulates debate about controversial issues and offers a forum for deviating opinions, no small feat to accomplish these days.'

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Dr Beverly Searle, chief executive, Unique – Understanding Chromosome Disorders

'We at Unique are incredibly busy, helping families affected by rare chromosome and gene disorders and the professionals working with them. BioNews saves us precious time by keeping us up to speed each week with news, comment and reviews on genetics and genomics and related topics. It's also a great place to recruit new members of staff equipped with the specialist knowledge and skills needed to work with our families. Thank you BioNews and congratulations on publishing your 1000th edition!'

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Professor Martin Johnson, emeritus professor of reproductive science, University of Cambridge

'Congratulations to PET on the publication of the 1000th issue of BioNews which is invariably a useful source of reliable information about infertility and genetics. Long may it continue to flourish!'

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Dr Jayne Spink, chief executive, Genetic Alliance UK

'BioNews offers a unique informed environment for the discussion of issues that are of tremendous importance to our community. It's crucial both to stay informed and to hear all sides of the argument.'

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Vince Londini, chair, Southwestern Ontario Donor Conception Support Network

'As an active participant in community and government discussions regarding the ethics and policy of donor conception, I find BioNews indispensable. BioNews provides timely, relevant coverage and commentary on technological and social developments in this fast-changing space. I read each newsletter, engage with the materials, and am proud to support the work. Congratulations on your 1000th edition milestone!'

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Dr Steven Gellatly, module lead for the MSc Human Clinical Embryology and Assisted Conception course at University of Dundee

'Congratulations on the 1000th edition of BioNews, a resource that I couldn't do without. As an educator, who teaches reproductive medicine and biology, I find BioNews a valuable resource to keep pace with current developments in the field. It is valuable not only for my professional development but also that of my students. It is always clear, well written and well informed.'

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Sally Cheshire, chair, HFEA

'The HFEA would like to warmly congratulate PET on publishing the 1000th edition of BioNews. The fertility sector, science and society have changed immeasurably since the first article, but BioNews remains current, provocative and crucial to delivering the incredibly important messages about reproduction, genetics and fertility we all need to consider. Long may the thought-provoking articles and PET events continue to shape future debate.'

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Nicky Hudson, professor of medical sociology and director of the Centre for Reproduction Research, De Montfort University

'In the time since its inception in 1999, BioNews has become the foremost source of up-to-date news, information and commentary on genetics, assisted conception, embryo/stem cell research. The weekly BioNews email provides those of us working in the field with a dependable and highly valued digest of current debates, news articles and events. It is always a pleasure to read the thoughtful contributions and challenging commentaries and I advise all my colleagues and students to sign up. I wish the team huge congratulations on the 1000th edition and look forward to the next 1000!'

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Vivienne Parry, head of engagement, Genomics England

'For the small BioNews team to reach a milestone of 1000 editions is a fantastic achievement. Insightful and challenging, they've provided accurate, accessible, and understandable news on cutting edge biomedical topics for two decades. They have been incredibly supportive of the work of Genomics England and of genomic medicine in the NHS, and we are very appreciative and grateful for their invaluable help. Put out the bunting immediately!'

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Jane Denton, director, Multiple Births Foundation

'Congratulations to PET on the 1000th edition of BioNews. A brilliant source of up to date and accurate information and debates around these contentious topics, the free publication has become the essential place to go for professionals and the public who have an interest genetics, assisted reproduction, embryo research and related areas. Please support PET so this wonderful resource will continue.'

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Dave Archard, emeritus professor of philosophy, Queen's University, Belfast

'BioNews is and has now been for some years an invaluable resource for anyone in the UK who is interested in bioethical issues, whether they be academics, members of interest groups, official bodies, charities – or even just the general public. Its topical, well informed opinion pieces as well as digests of the news of relevant scientific and other developments are a great way to keep up to date and a virtual reference text for anyone wanting to know more about a particular topic. Here's to the next thousand issues!'

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Professor Richard Ashcroft, bioethicist, department of law, Queen Mary University of London

'BioNews reaching its 1000th edition is a remarkable achievement by Sarah and her team. It sets the agenda for reproductive biomedicine and ethics debate in the UK and beyond. The articles are consistently interesting and engaging. This is an invaluable service to researchers, clinicians, policymakers, activists and the public at large. I love it and so do my colleagues and students. Long may it continue!'

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Natalie Gamble, solicitor at NGA law and founder of Brilliant Beginnings

'A massive congratulations to BioNews on your 1000th edition. You are an unmissable weekly read for anyone interested in fertility law or bioethics. The NGA Law and Brilliant Beginnings team relies on you, not just for regular news about legal and scientific developments in fertility, surrogacy and other assisted reproduction, but for the platform you provide for measured and thoughtful discussion which plays a crucial role in taking policy and law reform forward.'

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Professor Sonia Suter, John and Inge Stafford Faculty Research Professor, George Washington University Law School, Washington, DC

'As an American law professor who writes at the intersection of law, medicine and ethics, with a focus on reproduction and genetics, I have been a big fan of BioNews. The website has been extremely useful in keeping me up to date on scientific developments in genetics and assisted reproduction. More important, it has been invaluable in highlighting emerging ethical and legal issues in these areas not only in the UK, but also in the United States, Europe, and the rest of the world. I recommend BioNews to my students to get ideas for research topics, and I often cite to its carefully researched pieces. My only disappointment is that, living in the United States, I am too far to take advantage of the numerous conferences PET produces on topics of great interest to me. Congratulations on your 1000th edition BioNews. Keep up the great work!'

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Katrina Nevin-Ridley, director of external relations, communications and public engagement, UK Research and Innovation

'BioNews has truly pushed the boundaries by debating and discussing some of the most interesting and ethically challenging areas of science. As it celebrates its 1000th edition, I have no doubt that the publication will continue to make a positive impact in keeping pace with research and building public and professional understanding of the important issues of our time.'

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Professor John Harris, emeritus professor, University of Manchester

'Many congratulations to BioNews on reaching 1000 editions and to PET for being continuing sources of rationality, information, fair and balanced comment and good sense in a field and a world increasingly in need of both! Very many best wishes for the next 10,000 editions of BioNews and PET, from a devoted fan!'

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Stephen Wilkinson, professor of bioethics, Lancaster University

'I use BioNews all the time, as do my colleagues and students. It's a tremendously informative and interesting source of information about reproductive technologies and I don't know what we would do without it. Congratulations on reaching your 1000th edition.'

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Barbara Connolly QC, 7 Bedford Row Chambers

'BioNews is absolutely invaluable for keeping up to date with what is going on around the world, particularly in the area of international assisted reproduction and surrogacy. It is a quick and easy to use, and for busy legal practitioners a great way to keep in touch when time is short, and then to use as a signpost to where to go back to when needed. Keep up the good work.'

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Hugh Whittall, director, Nuffield Council on Bioethics

'BioNews is one of my longest standing subscriptions, and there is a reason for that. It reliably delivers interesting, current, relevant content. Whether news, review or comment, there is invariably something worth reading, and always carefully and suitably distilled. A difficult job, very well done. Keep up the good work!'

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Professor Bobbie Farsides, professor of clinical and biomedical ethics, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

'BioNews has served members of the bioethics community so well over the years it is difficult to exaggerate how much it is valued as a publication and the respect and affection held for those who produce it. Not only has it kept us informed and challenged, it has allowed fledgling researchers to take their first steps in publishing with support and encouragement and it has encouraged all of us to find accessible ways of communicating complex and challenging material. Long may if prosper.'

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Dr Véronique Berman, scientific adviser and community development manager, Chana

'Chana the UK's leading Jewish fertility charity wishes to congratulate BioNews on its 1000th edition. Full of admiration for constantly having their eye on the ball and ear to the ground; keeping us informed with impartial reporting, thought provoking articles and book reviews. Wishing you every success for the next 1000 editions.'

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Rosamund Scott, professor of medical law and ethics and co-director, Centre of Medical Law and Ethics, King's College London

'For many years BioNews has been an invaluable resource for me, my postgraduate students and my post-doctoral researchers. If there is an important development relating to reproduction or genetics, anywhere in the world, BioNews will be sure to cover it. Moreover, as a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator, I have greatly appreciated Sarah Norcross's willingness to publish reports of our events and to provide opportunities for our post-doctoral researchers to write on key current developments. I very much hope that BioNews will keep on being able to fulfil its unique role, thereby continuing to facilitate important links between clinical, public, academic and policy perspectives in debates relating to reproduction and genetics.'

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Dr Ainsley Newson, associate professor, Sydney Health Ethics, University of Sydney

'I came across BioNews as a brand-new post-doc, fresh off the plane from Australia in 2003. Subscribing immediately connected me to what was happening in genetics and reproduction in the UK and beyond. It led me to new collaborations, influenced my research agenda and challenged my views. I have continued to subscribe, and write for, BioNews ever since. I offer my congratulations and gratitude to the team at PET on the publication of this 1000th issue!'

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Caroline Andrews, Verity PCOS

'BioNews helps inform and educate many across the sector. Congratulations on your milestone!'