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No organism lives forever. The length of time animals and humans live is influenced by their genes. Scientists have made astonishing discoveries concerning the role of genetics in determining life span and this holds promise of extending the lives of animals and humans. This program explains Genetics, DNA and genetic theories of aging. It illustrates the genetic processes behind cellular aging and shows how genes affect life span. Discover the reasons why cells age and why a certain enzyme can effectively turn back the hands of our "biological clock."
Objectives: Students learn the structures and functions of nucleic acids.
Subjects Covered Include:
The Structure of DNA
Nucleotides
Alignment of Nitrogen Bases
Replication of DNA
The Structure of RNA
DVD / 2011 / (Grades 6-12) / 30 minutes
Right now across the globe there is a major legal and scientific war raging over one simple question: should we allow individuals and corporations to patent genes? Everyday we walk around, encountering a genetic whirlpool of people of different shapes and colors, barely conscious that 4000 of the 20, 000 genes inside each of us belong to biotech companies. Some biotech companies claim patents reward medical research and promote the investigation of life saving treatments. Others see it very differently, describing patenting as a biotech land-grab that's less about patients and more about greed. For example, if a person carries the breast cancer gene, he/she has a 50 to 85 per cent chance of contracting the disease. But the cost of this testing is prohibitive.
In Body Corporate, reporter Andrew Fowler travels in the United States and Australia to hear from both sides in this high-stakes controversy. Who is right? Can the very basis of life itself be patented and sold? Is it possible that a unique gene that makes us what we are could be patented by someone we don't know and then franchised out to a major corporation? These questions will be resolved in the courtrooms as companies with multi-million dollar investments are prepared to battle all the way to the Supreme Court.
DVD / 2011 / 45 minutes
Genetic engineering is one of the great scientific breakthroughs in recent history, but it's not without controversies. Should we push genetic research to its absolute limit, or does it need limitations? This program looks at the possible benefits of genetic engineering, such as the curing of hereditary diseases and the creation of better, more efficient crops. It also explores the potential issues that arise with this new technology - the questionable morality of cloning, and the controversy that surrounds stem-cell research for example. Students will hear both a secular and religious perspectives on the morality of intervening in nature at the most fundamental level.
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It is estimated that three million people worldwide have been conceived via in vitro fertilization, or IVF. Having this still relatively recent technology has led us to question who 'deserves' it, and the extent to which an embryo should be engineered. Some parents-to-be use IVF to avoid potential hereditary diseases, yet should parents be allowed to choose things like sex, hair and eye colour? Should IVF be free, and if so, should it be free for everyone? This program looks at how different countries have navigated this new ethical territory, and investigates the often opposing stances that various religions have towards the practice. How have the boundaries for artificial pro-creation been set?
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Since its discovery in 1953, mankind has been increasingly fascinated with DNA, the genetic blueprint. From the selective breeding of plants and animals in agriculture, through to the production of recombinant proteins for medical purposes and, more recently, the cloning of animals, science has investigated ways of manipulating the basic genetic code. This program outlines the basic tools/techniques for manipulation of DNA and how these are being used to ask fundamental questions about how genes work. From a more applied angle we take a tour of the myriad ways these advances are being utilised in medicine, agriculture and the environment. Together with its applications, we discuss the range of ethical questions arising from genetic engineering and the manipulation of DNA to produce so called 'designer genes'.
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No biological sciences have more promise for the future of mankind than genetics and microbiology.
Microbiology, which includes genetics, is the story of understanding how the cell works. All life is cellular life ... All animal and plant tissue is made up of cells ... All infectious diseases are caused by invading cells ... Cell division is the process of creating all complex life ... And all genetic material is contained within the cell. The many cellular processes and the remarkable micro-world are presented in stunningly clear micro-videography in Microbiology and Genetics.
Segments in this program are:
1673 - Anton Leeuwenhoek Describes Microscopic Life
1838 - The Cellular Basis of Life
1866 - Mendel's Laws of Inheritance
1878 - Germ Theory of Disease
1884 - The Structure of Cells
1884 - Mitosis and Cell Division
1905 - Meiosis
1911 - Genes
1967 - The Symbiotic Cell
DVD (Closed Captioned, With Spanish Subtitles) / 2007 / (Grades 7 - Adult) / 30 minutes
First looks at major research areas in biotechnology such as the Human Genome Project and the various forms of recombinant DNA technology that produce transgenic plants and animals. The program then goes on to look at the tools used by biotechnologists such as restriction enzymes, plasmids, vector and vector less insertion of genes into genomes, and the production of genes via polymerase chain reactions. The program then concludes by looking at the future of biotechnology and some of the environmental, economic, and ethical issues raised by biotech.
Begins by comparing asexual and sexual reproduction and describing chromsomes and homologous pairs. The difference between haploid and diploid cells and the three major eukaryotic life cycles are then described. The program goes on to a detailed description of all the stages of Meiosis I and II including prophase I and II, metaphase I and II, anaphase I and II, and telophase I and II. In the process students are introduced to phenomena such as crossing over and provided an explanation of how meiosis creates genetic variability in a species.
Begins by looking at single gene genetic disorders including recessive disorders such as Tay-Sachs and sickle-cell anemia, dominant disorders such as Huntington's disease, and sex-linked disorders such as hemophilia and color blindness. The program then looks at polygenic inheritance and environmental influences on the expression of genes. Chromosomal inheritance of disorders such as Down syndrome are then explored before looking at the ethical issues involved in genetic testing and the hope promised by the Human Genome Project.
There is a lot of controversy around genetic modification of organisms and cloning. This program looks at the way man has modified genomes of plants and animals used for food since the dawn of agriculture. As knowledge of cells and genetics has increased, so has man's ability to alter genomes. Animations show how genetic engineers are now able to construct and insert genes for desirable characteristics into plants and how technology is used to increase numbers of animals with desirable traits and screen out those with disease or lower food yields.
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The brave new world of cloning, gene splicing, in-vitro fertilization, embryo adoption, BGH and more. How far will we go? How far should we go? Features interviews with biologist Richard Burgess, activist Jeremy Rifkin, and other environmentalists, biologists and experts in bioethics.
DVD (Closed Captioned, With Guide) / 2005 / (Secondary, College) / 41 minutes
The brave new world of cloning, gene splicing, in-vitro fertilization, embryo adoption, BGH and more. How far will we go? How far should we go? Features interviews with biologist Richard Burgess, activist Jeremy Rifkin, and other environmentalists, biologists and experts in bioethics.
Look at the genetic, biochemical and environmental processes responsible for the differences and similarities among the same species and examine the history and basic rules of genetic studies. Then, explain chromosomes, mitosis, meiosis, sex determination, genes, DNA and RNA. Material is presented in an innovative, interactive format designed to enhance learning by combining discussion and evaluation into the subject matter.
This DVD offers a unique and witty look at the Mendelian Model of Inheritance, and at other basic concepts of genetics, as well.
Learning Objectives:
1) Causes of physical differences within a particular species will be explained.
2) Various laws of inheritance that resulted from the experiments of Gregor Mendel will be discussed.
3) Students will receive a foundation for further study on the subject of basic genetics.
Genetic Engineering
The brave new world of cloning, gene splicing, in-vitro fertilization, embryo adoption, BGH and more. How far will we go? How far should we go? Features interviews with biologist Richard Burgess, activist Jeremy Rifkin, and other environmentalists, biologists and experts in bioethics.
Gene Guns
This new technology for producing transgenic organisms has the potential to change agriculture as dramatically as anything since the plow and the tractor. Program explains how a gene gun works and what the future looks like for changing the genetic heritage of living things.
This program examines the makeup of the DNA molecule, where it is found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, as well and viruses and viroids. It looks at the role of messenger, transfer and ribosomal RNA in using DNA codes to manufacture proteins, and the various amino acids involved.
It also covers the relatively recent development of DNA manipulation, including the use of restriction enzymes, DNA recombination and sequencing, and the scientific, medical and commercial application of various techniques.
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Note : The above titles may have some territorial restrictions. Please feel free to send us an enquiry.