NOVA Wonders Can We Make Life?
Season 45 Episode 105 | 53m 46s
"It's alive!" Since Dr. Frankenstein spoke those famous words, we've been alternately enthralled and terrified by the idea of creating life in the lab. Now, a revolution in genetic engineering and thrilling innovations in synthetic biology are bringing that dream—or nightmare, as the case may be—closer to reality. New tools allow researchers to use cells to create their own DNA.
Aired: 05/23/18
Expires: 05/22/21
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What is CRISPR gene editing?
Scientists have a new tool to edit genes in human cells to repair mutations. What is it?
Catching Genetic Diseases Early
Genetic sequencing can help doctors make life-saving diagnoses.
No More Mosquitos
A new technology, could make mosquito-borne illnesses a thing of the past.
Gene Editing Human Embryos
Chinese scientists altered the genome of a “nonviable" human embryo.
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National corporate funding for NOVA Wonders is provided by Draper. Major funding for NOVA Wonders is provided by National Science Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and public television viewers, with additional funding for “Are We Alone?” and “What’s the Universe Made Of?” provided by the John Templeton Foundation. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DRL-1420749. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
