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is one of several programmes made in the train of Dr. Arpad Pusztai's controversial findings on the dangers of genetic modification of crops. Prof. Lewis Wolpert (University College, London) sums up the arguments for and against the genetic modification of foodstuffs. He is strongly in favour of this development, a view shared - although more cautiously - by Prof. Michael Lipton (Poverty Research Unit, Sussex University). Opposing them are Andrew Simms (Christian Aid) and Peter Melchett (Greenpeace) while Joanna Blythman (Food Journal) urges that more attention should be paid to public opinion. Also taking part in the debate are Richard North (environmental writer) and there is a filmed contribution from Prof. Derek Burke (former Chair, Novel Foods Committee). In the second part of the programme restaurateur Antonio Carluccio defends the cooking and enjoyment of good food against Guardian columnist Decca Aitkenhead who argues that cooking is a waste of time. Antonio Carluccio believes that good cooking is an asset to family life but Decca Aitkenhead sees all interest in cooking as obsessive and warns against strategies designed to inveigle women back into the kitchen. Dr. Sarah Pennell (Victoria and Albert Museum) also takes part in this discussion.

Heart of the matter

1 videocassette (VHS) (40 min.) : sound, color, PAL.

Feeding frenzy.

This episode deals with the difficulties of patients in recognising and seeking help for clinical depression and of doctors in diagnosing it. Untreated depression can lead to physical illness, job loss and marriage breakdown. Among the aspects of depression to which Prof. Lewis Wolpert gives closer examination are post-natal and childhood depression. There is also the case of a patient whose mental decline and extreme physical symptoms baffled doctors until an endocrinologist diagnosed Cushing's syndrome, normally a stress related illness, but in this case triggered by a tiny lung tumour which caused excessive cortisol production - showing that depression can have a purely physical origin. Chemical changes in the brain are of vital importance and this episode concludes with news of advances in the understanding of brain chemistry and of imaging the brain so as to identify brain activity associated with depression. Drugs are now available to regulate this activity.

A Living Hell. Part 2.

Science in society

Science, technology and social responsibility : a discussion meeting organized by L. Wolpert, I. Nussey and A. MacDonald, and held at the Royal Society on Tuesday 16 March 1999 / contributions compiled by L. Wolpert.

The aspect of brain and behaviour examined here is the relationship between scientific and artistic activity. Dance, architecture, plastic surgery and technology relating to war, space exploration and robotics are among the topics covered in this wide-ranging programme. Among the many contributors are: Prof. Lewis Wolpert (University College, London); Rosemary Crill (Victoria and Albert Museum, London); Dr. Ken Arnold (Exhibitions Officer, Wellcome Trust); Anthony Rowsel (plastic surgeon, Guy's Hospital); Prof. Sir Harry Kroto (Sussex University); Prof. Tim Benton (architectural historian) and Dr. Robert Matthews (Aston University).

Open Saturday

1 video cassette (VHS) (53 min.) : sound, color, PAL.

Looking at brain and behaviour.

British Society for Developmental Biology. Symposium (8th) : 1983 : Nottingham, Nottinghamshire.

Gradients, position and pattern : a history / L. Wolpert.

Six impossible things before breakfast : the evolutionary origins of belief / Lewis Wolpert.

The first in a three-part series on asymmetry in our universe. In this part Frank Close, with the help of various academics, looks at asymmetry occurring in the human body, both internally and externally.

The lopsided universe. Pt. 1, Lucifer's legacy.

Introduced by science historian Evelyn Fox Keller, the film begins with a clip from 'The Cambridge Story' (1953?), showing Francis Crick and James Watson, two of the scientists responsible for the discovery of the structure of DNA. The film continues with many other archive clips which include Maurice Wilkins explaining his difficulties in working with Rosalind Franklin and, in another clip, demonstrating x-ray crystallography. These are linked by a voice-over narrative and comments from scientists Richard Dawkins, Lewis Wolpert, Steve Jones, Psychologist Stephen Pinker and neurobiologist Kenan Malik. The programme then traces the change in ideas about genetic superiority that was brought about by the work of anthropologist Margaret Meade. While greater understanding of DNA increased comprehension of what it is to be human, her fieldwork in Samoa and Papua New Guinea promoted the idea that humanity was capable of many varieties of culture, equally valid. The importance attached to a biological past gave way to acceptance of the importance of nurture and the appreciation of human possibility.

1 video cassette (VHS) (60 min.) : sound, color, PAL

Double helix the DNA years. Pt.1.

A life in science / Sydney Brenner ; as told to Lewis Wolpert ; edited interview with additional material by Errol C. Friedberg and Eleanor Lawrence.

Peter Evans looks at evolution and how research into genes can help us to understand how our bodies have evolved.

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Feeding frenzy.

A Living Hell. Part 2.

Science, technology and social responsibility : a discussion meeting organized by L. Wolpert, I. Nussey and A. MacDonald, and held at the Royal Society on Tuesday 16 March 1999 / contributions compiled by L. Wolpert.

Looking at brain and behaviour.

Gradients, position and pattern : a history / L. Wolpert.

Six impossible things before breakfast : the evolutionary origins of belief / Lewis Wolpert.

The lopsided universe. Pt. 1, Lucifer's legacy.

Double helix the DNA years. Pt.1.

A life in science / Sydney Brenner ; as told to Lewis Wolpert ; edited interview with additional material by Errol C. Friedberg and Eleanor Lawrence.

Shape of things to come : genes and evolution.

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Feeding frenzy.

A Living Hell. Part 2.

Science, technology and social responsibility : a discussion meeting organized by L. Wolpert, I. Nussey and A. MacDonald, and held at the Royal Society on Tuesday 16 March 1999 / contributions compiled by L. Wolpert.

Looking at brain and behaviour.

Gradients, position and pattern : a history / L. Wolpert.

Six impossible things before breakfast : the evolutionary origins of belief / Lewis Wolpert.

The lopsided universe. Pt. 1, Lucifer's legacy.

Double helix the DNA years. Pt.1.

A life in science / Sydney Brenner ; as told to Lewis Wolpert ; edited interview with additional material by Errol C. Friedberg and Eleanor Lawrence.

Shape of things to come : genes and evolution.

Stay in the know

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