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Human Nature | Trailer | NOVA | PBS

NOVA PBS Official | November 20, 2025



With an extraordinary new technology called CRISPR, we can now edit DNA—including human DNA. But how far should we go?

Gene-editing promises to eliminate certain genetic disorders like sickle cell disease. But the applications quickly raise ethical questions. Is it wrong to engineer soldiers to feel no pain, or to resurrect an extinct species? And is there harm in allowing parents to choose their child’s features, like eye color or height? The scientists who pioneered human genome studies and CRISPR grapple with these questions.

PRODUCTION CREDITS:

Digital Producer
Michael Amundson

© WGBH Educational Foundation 2018

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Written by NOVA PBS Official

Comments

This post currently has 31 comments.

  3. @bernardforand4078

    November 20, 2025 at 3:10 am

    China has already taken its first steps to genetic engineering as no doubt other nations are or will be doing, whether or not the USA pursues this technology. Here the USA will demonstrate the separation of church & government.
    The USA may not be as to what they claim, as by the actions of the USA's failure to progress & evolve with their competitors for survival, is due to the basis of religious dogma. Although denied?
    Regression will be their just reward…

  9. @RoxanneM-

    November 20, 2025 at 3:10 am

    The exaggerated concentration on the very specific in detriment of the understanding of the whole organism is limiting medical science. Science needs a revolution from this epistemological jail its in.

  15. @Milanesa2010

    November 20, 2025 at 3:10 am

    Fire, stones, knives, arrow, car, baseball bat, pen. every tool can be used in unethical ways. We've been playing god since the appearance of the medicine man millennia ago. Every time you take an aspirin, every time you fix a cavity, every time you go into surgery, every time you get a boob job, every time you dye your hair, you get a tattoo. And don't get me started with weapons.
    As the journalist said "draw the ethical line where you want; but not before my disease"

  16. @travissweat9098

    November 20, 2025 at 3:10 am

    The only thing I would change about this masterpiece documentary is this…
    The Chapt. 6 is called PLAYING GOD.

    Perhaps we should think of the possibilities that exist from CRISPR technology not as PLAYING GOD, but, since GOD had allowed this discovery, perhaps it should be called DOING WHAT GOD WOULD LIKE FOR US TO DO.
    NOW we can design humans for interplanetary expansion.

  20. @TimeTheory2099

    November 20, 2025 at 3:10 am

    @ PBS Nova thanks for all the great videos, but let's be honest.
    Anything like that will be for those who can afford treatment.
    The wealthy.

    Don't forget about the
    Military, they've got ALL our Tax money to begin with.☮️

  24. @alexcamacho1842

    November 20, 2025 at 3:10 am

    Personally, I believe that CRISPR should only be used to fix genetic diseases and other harmful errors in DNA. If a mutation happens that doesn’t necessarily cause any harm, I’d leave it be.

Comments are closed.

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