The fourth edition of the popular genetics textbook in the Instant Notes series from Garland Science has just been published. The authors this time are Ivor Hickey and Hugh Fletcher. This edition has been adapted to interlink closely with other texts in the series on Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.  A strong emphasis is placed on ethical considerations and the application of research to modern life situations. The series employs a novel pedagogy which makes the book only useful if students have already attended lectures. Its organisation of specific, relevant material removes the need for students to wade through overly-large books, and this partly explains its popularity with students and its five star status on Amazon. Over 20,000 copies have been purchased worldwide and earlier editions have been translated into Chinese and Russian.