Sixth Form students in Monmouth have been given a fascinating insight into inherited medical conditions and the genetics of cancer.

Two experts from Wales Gene Park gave informative talks to 76 students at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools and Monmouth Comprehensive School.

Dr Zoe Hudson, a clinical research fellow in Cancer Genetics at Cardiff University, and Dr Annie Proctor, a consultant geneticist at All Wales Medical Genetics Service, spoke to the young people yesterday.

The Wales Gene Park supports medical genetic research and aims to help people understand genetics and genomics throughout Wales and further afield, making access to information easier.

Monmouth School for Girls hosted the event for the students involved in the Monmouth Science Initiative and those taking A level Biology.

“All the students felt privileged to learn more about this field from two expert practitioners as well as discovering a bit more about possible career trajectories,” said the organiser, Miss Linda Woodburn, Head of Science at Monmouth School for Girls.

“They particularly enjoyed learning about the inherited conditions and how clinicians sensitively deal with these complex medical issues that affect the wider family as well as the individual, and the non-invasive prenatal testing procedures being pioneered in Cardiff.”