What you think about BioNews

A few weeks ago, we sent out a questionnaire to all BioNews subscribers to find out what you think of our service. Although we're unaccustomed to blowing our own trumpet, we thought we'd give you an idea of the feedback we've received.

But the first thing to say is thank you. A quarter of readers responded to the questionnaire. And since many of you read BioNews because you don't have enough time in the day to read the press and the scientific journals, setting aside time to tell us what you think was much appreciated.

The second thing to say is that most of you who responded like BioNews and find it very useful. Ninety-two per cent of you read it every week, 79 per cent read all of it and the vast majority of you (93 per cent) are happy with the length of the BioNews email. Most of you like the idea of a discussion forum and of primers to provide background information on different issues covered by BioNews.

We do know from your comments that many subscribers forward BioNews to friends and colleagues. We would encourage subscribers to carry on doing this, because it means we have a wider readership than the subscriber base. But it also means that we aren't able to send the questionnaire to everyone who reads BioNews. So, if you are one of those people who receives BioNews regularly via a colleague, do please sign yourself up by going to www.progress.org.uk/news.

A few of you suggested inviting others to write the Commentary in order to provide a wider spectrum of opinion on certain issues. Over the next few months, we will be taking this comment on board, as well as all your other helpful suggestions about how make to BioNews even more useful. Watch this space!