Science Britannica. Part 1 Frankenstein's monsters.

Professor Brian Cox presents the first of this three part documentary series where he visits the sights of the most controversial scientific discoveries and discovers why scientists are sometimes perceived by the public as Frankensteins who meddle with power beyond their control. Cox looks at the controversial work of Giovanni Aldini who experimented with galvanism. He then visits the Royal Institution to study Humphrey Davy, a 19th century Professor of Chemistry. Davy believed that science should be used to control nature and religion should not dominate science. Two of Humphrey Davy’s experiments are replicated. One demonstrates that diamonds only produced carbon dioxide, proving they are made solely of carbon. The second experiment demonstrates how Humphrey Davy wished to engage people in science; when certain elements are mixed (eg. nitrogen triiodide and iodine) they create an explosion. Cox then visits an old top secret military facility in North Wales to discuss the controversial pre-World War II nuclear research. Eileen Docksford who worked in the facility in 1941 is interviewed; she describes her experience as an instrument technician and explains how little she knew about the research she was helping to conduct. Cox then recreates Ernest Rutherford’s experiment which revealed the structure of the atomic nucleus by using simple apparatus including a hot water bottle, dry ice and a welding rod. This experiment makes visible the particle trails which allowed Rutherford to see the consequences of atoms colliding and the energy it releases. The fission of uranium is demonstrated on a chalk board helping to explain how energy was created, ultimately leading to the creation of the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima. Brian Cox argues that this was a watershed moment in history since it showed that our own actions in science could destroy us. This led the public to be suspicious and hostile towards science, re-affirming people’s belief that scientists are monsters. Cox visits genetically modified potato plantations in Norfolk and discusses how some people believe them to be dangerous. The controversy around GM crops continues. Plant geneticist Jonathan Jones is interviewed; he does not believe the plants are monsters because they are genetically modified. Genetic modification simply allows beneficial genes to be added that cannot be added by breeding. Cox then visits Cambridge where Francis Crick and James Watson discovered the structure of the DNA molecule. Brian Cox looks at a half sized model of DNA that Crick and Watson made and describes how the structure carries genetic information and DNA is used by cells as set of instructions. Archive footage of Francis Crick from 1974 is shown where he described the beauty of the structure of DNA. Nobel Prize winning geneticist Paul Nurse discusses how the public were worried about how the discovery of DNA may affect the spread of diseases - Nurse believes that these were valid concerns. Jonathan Jones once again is interviewed; he expresses his belief that GM crops are no more unnatural than antibiotics and they are just a method to improve crops and plants are not fundamentally changed. Brian Cox explains that he is baffled by the public reaction to some scientific discoveries and believes that this can only be changed by public engagement. Cox then visits the Royal College of Surgeons to look at the life of controversial surgeon John Hunter who understood the importance of public engagement. Brian Cox looks around the Hunterian Collection, now housed at the Royal College of Surgeons and explains that it demonstrated to the public the benefits of controversial work. An issue still in the public eye is that of animal experimentation. Footage is shown of various animals kept in cages and also of anti-vivisection demonstrators. 13 year old Sean Gardiner is introduced as an example of the benefits of animal testing; he was paralysed for 7 years by a disease related to Parkinson’s called Dystonia. Footage of his operation in 2006 is shown where electrodes are implanted deep in to his brain. The surgeon Tipu Aziz is interviewed explaining that the operation could allow Sean to walk, talk and be a regular child again. Controversially, primates were purposely given Parkinson’s disease in order to establish a cure. Tipu Aziz argues that there is no other way that this discovery could have been made and that he has no doubts about his research. Brian Cox concludes that although controversial, many scientific discoveries have paid dividends. In fact galvinism is not so far removed from the modern day use of defibrillators.