Why is genetics education so important?

This is the first of a series of ten questions that we asked experts in the field of undergraduate genetics education. These questions range from the importance of genetics education to the practice of teaching undergraduates the theory of genetics while keeping them engaged in the subject. In this series we hope to bring out a discussion of the importance of genetics education not only for future scientists but also for those not seeking science as a profession. It is our hope that the answers provided by these experts will stimulate thought and discussion on the importance of genetics education today, therefore please feel free to share your thoughts with us through the comment section on this site or with the panelists separately (two questions will be published in each issue for the next five issues).