I had a great time investigating the pigments of different mutant fruit flies by following experimental protocols published in Scientific American, and I also remember making my own beetle collection when it was still acceptable to make such collections.

It has been a privilege to pursue knowledge for its own sake and to see how it might help mankind in more practical ways.

How scientists go about their job: and it's a process, it's a question of asking questions, respecting observation, respecting experiment, having tentative explanations and then testing them.... There is a problem sometimes with how we teach science at schools. Because we sometimes teach it as if it has been chiseled in stone.

At age 11 in 1960, I moved to an academic state secondary school, Harrow County Grammar School for Boys.

It was during my time at secondary school that I abandoned religion.

I have an idealistic view of science as a liberalising and progressive force for humanity.

During the winter my attention was attracted to the changes in the stars and planets in the sky.