Decoding the Book of Life

October 31, 1989

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NOVA - S16 - E15

Biologists around the world gear up to decode the three-billion-letter genetic message that describes how humans are made. Ethicists warn that it may not be such a good idea.

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NOVA: Season 16 - 20 Episode s

16x1 - Hot Enough for You?
January 17, 1989
Was the searing summer of 1988 a taste of things to come? NOVA looks at the greenhouse effect, which portends higher temperatures, rising sea levels and other environmental disasters.
16x2 - The Last Journey of a Genius
January 24, 1989
NOVA looks at the bongo-playing scientist, adventurer, safecracker and yarn-spinner Richard Feynman, most recently famous for his role as gadfly of the Presidential Commission investigating the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger.
16x3 - The Strange New Science of Chaos
January 31, 1989
NOVA explains "chaos," a new science that is making surprising sense out of chaotic phenomena in nature, from the weather to brain waves.
16x4 - Back to Chernobyl
February 14, 1989
NOVA goes to the Soviet Union for an inside investigation of the world's most catastrophic nuclear power accident with correspondent Bill Kurtis.
16x5 - God, Darwin and the Dinosaurs
February 21, 1989
In an Idaho classroom, teacher Phil Gerrish puts an unorthodox interpretation on the day's biology lesson. As students take notes, he explains that creationism is a valid scientific explanation for the origin on life. Once relying solely on the literal word of the Bible to make their case, creationists now argue that the scientific evidence is on their side. NOVA reports on this new twist in the long-running battle between creationism and evolution.
16x6 - Adrift on the Gulf Stream
February 28, 1989
NOVA explores the importance of the Gulf Stream to ocean life, climate and human history.
16x7 - Secrets of Easter Island (1)
March 7, 1989
In this two-part series, NOVA investigates the mystery of Easter Island in the South Pacific. Who built its celebrated statues and why?
16x8 - Legends of Easter Island (2)
March 7, 1989
In the second part of this two-part series, NOVA explores ancient legends hold the clues to the violent history of the South Pacific's Easter Island.
16x9 - The World Is Full of Oil!
March 21, 1989
Scientific detectives test their ingenuity in the effort to find underground oil deposits.
16x10 - Confronting the Killer Gene
March 28, 1989
Arlo, Nancy and Janice each have a 50/50 chance of developing a devastating nerve disorder. A laboratory test can tell them if in fact they will fall victim. In their shoes, would you take the test? Thousands of others face a similar choice: to know, or not know, if they will carry the genetic time bomb of Huntington's disease. NOVA looks at this incurable disease which affects 20,000 people in the US and threatens tens of thousands of others.
16x11 - The Hidden City
October 3, 1989
Actor Judd Hirsch narrates this behind-the scenes look at what makes New York City tick. Water, power and waste are the critical systems that usually work, but sometimes break down with disastrous consequences.
16x12 - The Controversial Dr. Koop
October 10, 1989
In this profile of the former Surgeon General, NOVA follows events as they unfold in a unique behind-the-scenes account of a man who speaks his mind on AIDS, smoking and abortion.
16x13 - Design Wars!
October 17, 1989
Five architects compete for the approval of architecture-obsessed Chicagoans in the contest to build the city's new public library. NOVA looks at the strengths and weakness of each of the suprisingly varied entries.
16x14 - Echoes of War
October 24, 1989
The atomic bomb might have ended World War II, but radar was the quiet miracle that won battles. NOVA tells the little-known wartime history of radar.
16x15 - Decoding the Book of Life
October 31, 1989
Biologists around the world gear up to decode the three-billion-letter genetic message that describes how humans are made. Ethicists warn that it may not be such a good idea.
16x16 - Hurricane!
November 7, 1989
NOVA studies hurricanes—the lurking giants waiting to destroy many coastal areas—by flying straight into one. Scientists hope that such close-up studies will supply the data to make better predictions.
16x17 - Will Venice Survive Its Rescue?
November 14, 1989
Increasingly awash in high water, the romantic city of Venice is counting on high-tech floodgates to save it from drowning. Environmentalists worry that the gates may destroy the fragile lagoon that surrounds the city.
16x18 - What Is Music?
November 21, 1989
East and West came into direct conflict over trade and power in the 19th century. The West won. NOVA explores how Japan was later able to master Western methods, while China was not. Part three of a four part series.
16x19 - Yellowstone's Burning Question
December 5, 1989
The 1988 Yellowstone fire may have been one of the worst in human memory, but nature has had eons of experience with such events. NOVA accompanies scientists who are studying the suprisingly rapid recovery from the blaze.
16x20 - The Schoolboys Who Cracked the Soviet Secret
December 12, 1989
NOVA re-enacts a classic case of classroom detection when English schoolboys track down a secret Soviet launch site. Docudrama.

16x1 - Hot Enough for You?

16x2 - The Last Journey of a Genius

16x3 - The Strange New Science of Chaos

16x4 - Back to Chernobyl

16x5 - God, Darwin and the Dinosaurs

16x6 - Adrift on the Gulf Stream

16x7 - Secrets of Easter Island (1)

16x8 - Legends of Easter Island (2)

16x9 - The World Is Full of Oil!

16x10 - Confronting the Killer Gene

16x11 - The Hidden City

16x12 - The Controversial Dr. Koop

16x13 - Design Wars!

16x14 - Echoes of War

16x15 - Decoding the Book of Life

16x16 - Hurricane!

16x17 - Will Venice Survive Its Rescue?

16x18 - What Is Music?

16x19 - Yellowstone's Burning Question

16x20 - The Schoolboys Who Cracked the Soviet Secret

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