diff --git a/resources/MatlabInterface/@JEInterface/getDesc.m b/resources/MatlabInterface/@JEInterface/getDesc.m
index 0e8664a4..ffd9de86 100644
--- a/resources/MatlabInterface/@JEInterface/getDesc.m
+++ b/resources/MatlabInterface/@JEInterface/getDesc.m
@@ -1,17 +1,28 @@
-function desc = getDesc(int, ID)
+function desc = getDesc(int, ID, showValues)
+%     desc = getDesc(int, ID)
+%     desc = getDesc(int, ID, showValues)
+%     desc = getDesc(int, obj)
+%     desc = getDesc(int, obj, showValues)
 % For an integer ID, return the String description of the indicated optimizer
-% with member descriptions. In case ID is of a different type, it is attempted
-% to retrieve a String description for that object directly.
+% with member descriptions. In case the first argument is an object of a different type, 
+% it is attempted to retrieve a String description for that object directly.
+% If showValues==1, the current values of the listed properties are also returned.
 
 import eva2.gui.BeanInspector;
 import eva2.server.modules.GOParameters;
 import eva2.OptimizerFactory;
 
+showVals=false;
+if exist('showValues','var')
+  if showValues==1
+    showVals=true;
+  end
+end
 if isnumeric(ID)
   params = OptimizerFactory.getParams(ID, int.mp);
-  desc =  BeanInspector.getDescription(params.getOptimizer, false);
+  desc =  BeanInspector.getDescription(params.getOptimizer, showVals);
 else
-  desc = BeanInspector.getDescription(ID, false);
+  desc = BeanInspector.getDescription(ID, showVals);
 end