DNA the story of life. Pt.4, The future.

Where should science draw the line? While controversy still rages over genetically modified plants, the genetic modification of humans becomes a possibility. The programme looks back to the US's eugenics movement of the 1930s and while Prof. James Watson does not agree with its methods, he has some sympathy with its aims. Now, research is under way to create artificial chromosomes which could either be passed on to the next generation or discarded. This could be a way of preventing the transmission of genetic diseases from one generation to the next. Watson believes that if this could be done, it should be done. He does not fear the accusation of 'playing God'.