NOVA - Cracking the Code of Life

Amazon.com

The work of geneticists who have labored for years to map human DNA is the subject of this offbeat yet highly informative documentary from the PBS series Nova. Host Robert Krulwich, a correspondent for ABC Nightline, visits with scientists who explain, in terms understandable to laymen, the enormous challenges faced and overcome by scientists working on the Human Genome Project. The value of the research effort is underscored with visits to families affected by inherited diseases that could someday be eradicated, and even legal matters such as research patents and potential privacy issues are also covered intelligently. The race between government researchers and private biotech firms is detailed, and at appropriate times host Krulwich is able to inject some good-natured humor into this excellent documentary. --Robert J. McNamara

Description

Does it amaze you that yeast is your very close relative? That you possess roughly the same number of genes as a mouse? That you are 99.9% genetically identical to every other human? ABC Nightline correspondent Robert Krulwich lends a lighthearted touch to genetic science in this provocative two-hour NOVA special that takes you inside the amazing, complex and contentious race to decode the human genome.

The Human Genome Project was born in 1990, when an international consortium of labs set out to sequence all 3 billion letters of our DNA, predicting they'd finish by 2005. Halfway through their schedule, controversial scientist and entrepreneur J. Craig Venter threw the genome world into turmoil, when he announced his for-profit company Celera could finish the job in just two years. Francis Collins, leader of the publicly-funded effort, and MIT's Eric Lander were among the scientists who answered Venter's challenge. The result made history and laid the foundation for a remarkable future.

Armed with this powerful information, medical pioneers are in the midst of astonishing breakthroughs that will change medicine as we know it. Will you get cancer, arthritis, or Alzheimer's? The answer lies in your genetic code—but the question is: Do you want to know? And will these new discoveries eventually lead to cures?

On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.

Customer Reviews:

How Nature Works - Cracked Wide Open.......2007-05-12

This is an exceptional documentary about the mapping of the human genome and its implications for humanity. Well structured and presented in laymens terms, helps to make Cracking the Code of Life an important addition to understanding Evolution.

Great movie.......2007-02-07

I am a high school Biology teacher and every year I show this film to my students as an introduction to our study on Genetics and Heredity. This is a great film that illustrates how the Human Genome Project began and examines the potential ethical dilemmas as well as potential benefits the completion of this project may have for society. Rarely can I show a "science" film and have so many students afterwards agree that it really was fascinating. In fact given its 2 hour length we can't finish it in one sitting and they beg me each day "Can we finish that movie today?" This movie stimulates some fascinating conversations in my classroom, and as a teacher, who could ask for more?

Very simple.......2007-01-05

Very simple. I expected a better contribution in the field of science per se; and i found that is oriented to ethics. Regards, Madya Ayala

Average customer rating:

It's about more than emotion vs. science
intriguing
Mesmerising, bleak
Just ok, good concept, just didn't capture my attention.
no birth control in 2050

Code 46
Starring: Tim Robbins , Togo Igawa , Nabil Elouhabi , Samantha Morton , and Sarah Backhouse
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00067BBMI
Release Date: 2004-12-28

Amazon.com

Like Gattaca did before it, Code 46 extrapolates from the present to posit a chilling, dystopian look at our genetically regimented future. In the corporate-controlled, near-future scenario presented by prolific director Michael Winterbottom and his regular screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce, nations and languages have merged to form a polyglot society in which genetic imperfections are avoided by the strict enforcement of Code 46, which prohibits sex between people who share 100%, 50%, or even 25% matching DNA. As an insurance-fraud investigator in Shanghai to investigate the issuance of forged passports (a major offense in an overcrowded world), Tim Robbins meets his prime suspect (Samantha Morton, echoing her role in Minority Report), and their violation of Code 46 has tragic and ultimately dehumanizing repercussions. Fascinating as a "what-if" scenario, Winterbottom's film is more successful as a melancholy mood-piece than a science-fiction tale. While the plot and characters suffer from occasionally vague definition, Code 46 offers a fascinating study of human longing in an age of oppressive globalization. --Jeff Shannon

Description

What if the person you desired most was the one person you were forbidden to love? OscarÂ(r) winner* Tim Robbins and OscarÂ(r) nominee** Samantha Morton "make a sexy and moving pair of desperadoes" (Entertainment Weekly) in this "provocative, quietly erotic" (Premiere)sci-fi thriller from the director of 24 Hour Party People. In the near future, privileged classes live and work "inside" cities, while non-citizens scratch out a miserable existence "outside" in a vast desert. People cannot leave their designated zones without special visas known as"papeles." When fraudulent papeles surface, Seattle investigator William Geld (Robbins) travels to Shanghai to ferret out the culprit and meets Maria Gonzalez (Morton) a woman with whom he has a passionate affair but breaks one of society's harshest laws: Code 46. *2003: Supporting Actor, Mystic River **2003: Actress, In America; 1999: Supporting Actress, Sweet and Lowdown

Customer Reviews:

It's about more than emotion vs. science.......2007-06-10

I saw this movie some years ago and liked it a lot. What I remember most about it is something that is not mentioned in the last ten or so reviews: that it is not only government that has taken away liberties in this dystopian world, but also, and critically, private corporations.

Every significant movement in this future is sanctioned by insurance companies ("do you have cover?"). If you don't have coverage (i.e. insurance coverage) for your trip to the grocery, you can't go. (the papelles were proof of cover). In this way, the people have signed away, contractually, a most basic civil liberty, privacy and the freedom to move about without being monitored.

Of course there's the sociological/scientific foundation or justification for this in the story, but what remained in my memory is how this apparently came to be in a western, essentially democratic world. That's what stuck with me in this movie and it's an important concept for people to be aware of. You have liberties. Don't just give them away for sake of convenience.

intriguing.......2007-01-04

I really had no idea what to make of this film after seeing the trailer, but I thought the premise sounded intriguing.

For the first half hour or so, I was starting to wonder if an intriguing premise was all the film had. Just because it was sci-fi, I expected some action and excitement, but this film had more than that to offer. Although there was not a great chase scene or any gunfights (as Hollywood has led us to believe all good sci-fi movies should have), the film gave me a lot more to think about than any action-packed sci-fi film. And, if you really get into the film (as I did), there is some suspense towards the end.

I can't resist comparing it to Gattaca, in that it deals more with ethical situations in a futuristic world. Although it was a little slow in parts and the pairing of Robbins and Morton is a little unsettling, I loved this movie. The little details, like the way languages had converged, give the viewer something to think about during the slower parts of this brilliant film. Although the romantic pairing was awkward, I think both actors performed quite well in general. Also, the soundtrack complements the futuristic perfectly.

If you like to think, watch Code 46. If you're looking for a Will Smith style sci-fi blockbuster, keep looking.

Mesmerising, bleak .......2006-12-08

This is a mesmering film, mainly because of the way it is shot, and the music. Yes, an ambient film, but that does it less justice than it deserves. Robbins is ok, wooden but that's his character, as the girl says at some point, he definitely risks having a good time.. and who are we to question their chemistry? This is a post-global warming world, bleak cityscapes, brilliantly filmed, and quite skilfully raises interesting and universal questions about relationships through the plot.. for example, why are people attracted to some particular people and not to others?? What strange mix produces instant recognition among strangers?? What do men see in women, and vice versa? Despite the plot issues which critical reviewers have pointed out, I am inclined to give this movie the benefit of the doubt, mainly because it is hard to forget. The only flaw is Samantha Morton's last line, which was totally unnecessary. Overall, a brilliant film. Perhaps not a GREAT film, but brilliant in the visual and auditory sense, combining just the right elements of raw realistic landscape with a sense of aesthetic elegance. Intense!!

Just ok, good concept, just didn't capture my attention........2006-11-20

As the reviewer prior to me mentions, I guess they ran out of birth control in 2050, but I guess we could write that off as "love". Point number 2, he goes back to his lover even after finding out that they are genetically related...esentially she could be his mom according to the movie...AAAAAAHHHHHHHH...EEEEWWWW!!!!! Screams odipus rex, and inbreeding. He has the "Arkansas" genetic code, or potentially the appalatian country gentic code. Tim robbins did a decent job in this movie, the only big name in it. Bottom line, in a world of genetically engineered people, You should be cautious if the gene pool is small, either that or just completely lack morals. A movie you might rent, but not a must.

no birth control in 2050.......2006-11-19

jeez, here's a solution- liason, don't breed. if the future can give you an empathy virus, learn a language through a virus, etc., they can do contraception through a virus while you want to be with the woman who is your mom's clone.

nice music though, great scenery.

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Code of Ethics [Region 2]
Starring: Olinda Turturro , John Ferus , Susan Johnston , Marco Zanelli , and Eric Bruno Borgman
Director: Dawn M. Radican
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004WZ9I

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Code of Ethics
Starring: Olinda Turturro , John Ferus , Susan Johnston , Marco Zanelli , and Eric Bruno Borgman
Director: Dawn M. Radican
Manufacturer: Leo Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00004U9PX
Release Date: 2000-08-29

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