Good science starts with a hypothesis. But the human genome project didn’t have one

I offer this humble suggestion for Craig Venter. The next time he is asked if he is "playing God," he might want to ask the questioner what they mean. Venter has just made headlines worldwide for the...

Ash and oil slicks—a fluid question

Hominids, the God particle and bogus cures

Ian McEwan’s new novel is a work of “lab lit” genre fiction. It lacks the punch of Atonement or the political ambition of Saturday—but is more fun than either

Top science stories of the month

The top science stories this month

There's a reason why we find it easier to "get" modern art than avant-garde music, and it's not just about our natural conservatism and love of Mozart

The moving image is coming soon to books and magazines

On Darwin, space and the odd Newton