Biotechnology in the 21st Century Series (4 Parts)

Synopsis

Biotechnology is revolutionising life in the 21st century, but with every breakthrough comes controversy. Do the benefits of stem cell technology, gene-splicing, and other advances outweigh the risks? Using interviews with experts, footage of scientists at work, 3-D animations, and on-screen text, this balanced four-part series introduces viewers to a field of science - and the pressing issues associated with it - that is rapidly changing the world. Individual titles are: Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Proteomics (22145); Biotechnology and Your Health (22146)l Biotechnology on the Farm and in the Factory (22147); The Ethics of Biotechnology (22148).

Language

English

Country

United States

Year of release

2010

Year of production

2009

Subjects

Biology

Keywords

applied science; bioethics; biotechnology; ethical issues; genetic engineering; pharmaceutical industry; bioinformatics

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£249.00 (series)

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

4 x 25 minutes

Year

2010

Sections

Title

Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Proteomics - Getting the Big Picture

Synopsis

If the 20th century was the era of physics and nuclear fission, the 21st belongs to the life sciences. Moving from gene, to genome, to genetically based diseases, this programme provides an overview of the interrelated fields of genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics, with an emphasis on practical applications of biotechnology to the field of medicine. Are genetically personalised drugs around the next corner?

Duration

25 mins

Title

Biotechnology and Your Health - Pharmaceutical Applications

Synopsis

Scientists have come a long, long way since Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin, the wonder drug of the 20th century. This programme explains the function of infection-fighting antibiotics; vaccinations and insulin, crucial to the prevention of diseases such as smallpox and the management of diabetes; recombinant drugs, treatments involving genetically engineered DNA; and stem cells, those chameleon-like building blocks of the body.

Duration

25 mins

Title

Biotechnology on the Farm and in the Factory - Agricultural and Industrial Applications

Synopsis

As the world’s population and overall standard of living continue to increase, the growing demand for food, fuel, and consumer products has reached unprecedented levels. This programme examines how biotechnology is helping to meet those needs through genetic engineering to increase crop yields and improve the nutritional value of key staple foods; animal agriculture, founded on selective breeding and edging toward lab-based genetic engineering; and industrial applications of biotech in the manufacturing of chemicals, textiles, beverages, and fuel.

Duration

25 mins

Title

Ethics of Biotechnology, The

Synopsis

How biotechnology, with its power to change life on Earth at the most fundamental level, will be viewed in the decades to come depends on decisions being made right now. This programme confronts viewers with some of the ethical and moral implications of cloning, stem cell research, and animal testing.

Duration

25 mins

Production Company

Name

Films for the Humanities & Sciences

Email

custserv.@films.com

Web

http://ffh.films.com/ External site opens in new window

Fax

+1 609 671 0266

Address

132 West 31st Street, 17th Floor
New York
NY 10001
USA

Notes

Films for the Humanities & Sciences is part of the US-based Films Media Group and specialises in selling programmes aimed at the HE and FE education and training market. The collection has thousands of titles and a range of separate subject catalogues is available in pdf format at http://ffh.films.com/landing.aspx?show=Catalogs/catalog_FFH.htm. Sale on video/DVD or online viewing via the Films on Demand service.

Distributor

Name

Viewtech Educational Media

Contact

Lynda Morrell

Notes

NB. Viewtech ceased trading in 2014 and the company’s products are no longer in distribution For over 30 years Viewtech distributed programmes from leading specialist educational producers from around the world and since 2002 it included titles previously distributed in the UK by Educational Media Film & Video. The extensive collection covered all subjects within the primary and secondary curriculum and some materials, particularly in the areas of study skills and business, are applicable to further/higher education.