DNA Dreams China's Genetic Research

Films for the Humanities & Sciences (Firm) (Added Author). Films Media Group (Added Author). NPO/Netherlands Public Broadcast. (Added Author).

Summary: What if we could identify the genes for human intelligence? Would a brave new world of perfect people be our future? This program profiles two young scientists at China's BGI, an internationally-renowned genome sequencing center, raising questions about the societal implications of their work. The video follows 18-year-old Zhao Bowen as he seeks a genetic basis for cognitive skill by analyzing the DNA of 2,000 highly gifted children. Bowen's belief is that IQ should be as precisely measurable as length. At BGI's cloning facility, 25-year-old Lin Lin's job is to produce rat-sized pigs that would be marketable as laboratory test animals; she expresses pride in the life she says she created. The film hints at concerns that BGI's research may lead to screening for intelligence in unborn babies and invites discussion about the concept of "creating life," especially through the selection of specific traits.

Record details

Physical Description: 1 streaming video file (53 min.) : sd., col.
remote
electronic resource (video)
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Films Media Group, [2013], c2013.

Content descriptions

General Note:	Encoded with permission for digital streaming by Films Media Group on October 26, 2013. Films on Demand is distributed by Films Media Group for Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Meridian Education, and Shopware. CatMonthString:january.14 Multi-User.
Formatted Contents Note:	Genetic Research Archives (0:48) -- Beijing Genomics Institute - 2012 (3:32) -- Cognitive Genomics Lab (5:41) -- Genetic Data Mining (3:44) -- Search for Child Geniuses (3:26) -- Producing Super Humans (4:26) -- BGI Match Making Show (2:39) -- Dedicated BGI Scientists (1:23) -- BGI Ark Biotechnology (4:17) -- Implanting Cloned Embryos (3:17) -- Family Advice (4:30) -- Politics of Designer Babies (4:20) -- Cloned Pigs in China (5:13) -- Manipulating Nature (1:37) -- Scientific Neutrality around Cloning (1:20) -- BGI Europe (1:49) -- Credits: DNA Dreams: China's Genetic Research (0:32)
Restrictions on Access Note:	Access requires authentication through Films on Demand.
Target Audience Note:	11 & up.
System Details Note:	Mode of access: Internet. System requirements: FOD playback platform.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction Note:	Access requires VIU IP addresses and is restricted to VIU students, faculty and staff. Access may be limited to affiliated libraries. Access requires authentication through Films on Demand.
Language Note:	Portions with English subtitles.
Source of Description Note:	Title from distributor's description.