WORLD-renowned scientist Professor Robert Winston, a pioneer in the development of IVF treatment, has paid a special visit to The Royal School inn Haslemere.

“Professor Winston gave the inaugural lecture in a new series of enrichment sessions for the entire Royal School community, featuring high-profile speakers from all areas of public life,” said new school principal Anne Lynch.

Taking examples from art, history, science and biography, he charted the development of genetics across the world and shared with students and staff some of the cutting-edge research currently being conducted in his laboratory at Imperial College, London.

Lord Winston discussed the ethical implications of some of the new developments in the field including ‘designer babies’, and impressed upon the audience the importance of everyone being scientifically literate, as the implications of such developments are something that will affect society as a whole.

One of his most immediately inspiring comments was that any two members of the audience, in collaboration, would have more brain power than Einstein.

Sixth formers also had the opportunity in a separate session to ask Lord Winston any questions about his specific work or any other area of science. The questions asked were varied and ranged from genetic disorders in animals to whether it is ethically acceptable to cross-breed species for desirable qualities.

Deputy head girl Alice Reynolds said: “Professor Winston gave us a lot to think about both within science and society as a whole and we felt privileged to have been given the opportunity to hear about his cutting-edge work first hand.”

* Young pupils from The Royal School also discovered hundreds of years of history in just one day on a visit to the Tower of London.

A peek at the Crown Jewels and other fascinating features of the popular attraction included a drama workshop about the Great Fire of London during the visit to the capital.