In this issue, we ask Ulrich Beck, the famous German sociologist, to revisit the risk society he described in his book Risikogesellschaft (Risk Society) in 1986. The reason for this is that 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of this book’s publication. What makes Ulrich Beck’s book special is that it remains the standard work of reference. Moreover, its contents have never been more apt. Lone Frank, who also adorns the front cover, tells in her most recent book a very personal story about putting herself through a series of genetic tests, and the future perspectives that follow in the wake of developments in gene technology.