Horizon - 1997
1 - Psychedelic Science
Air Date: February 27, 1997
Horizon reports on the resurgence in research on psychedelic drugs in the 1990's.
2 - Fat Cats, Thin Mice
Air Date: March 6, 1997
In this documentary, Horizon investigates obesity in Britain, following a woman, Heather Osborne, who weighs 322 pounds. We watch her progress through a stomach stapling operation and explore reports on a so-called fat free fat and two new drugs which have been marketed as the ultimate cure for obesity.
3 - Shipwreck
Air Date: March 13, 1997
Horizon follows the investigations into the origins of a 16th century shipwreck discovered off of the coast of the Channel Islands.
4 - Genius of the Jet
Air Date: March 20, 1997
This episode of Horizon presents a profile of the inventor Sir Frank Whittle and his idea for the first jet engine which changed the nature of air travel.
5 - Smallpox on Death Row
Air Date: March 27, 1997
In this episode, Horizon reports on the last lab samples of smallpox destined to be destroyed. But do we still have much to learn from this virus?
6 - Silent Children, New Language
Air Date: April 3, 1997
In this episode, Horizon investigates an amazing new sign language developed solely by deaf children and explores if we copy language from what surrounds us.
7 - Turned On by Danger
Air Date: April 17, 1997
Horizon reports on a radical new theory by Professor Polly Matzinger about the human body's immune system.
8 - A Perfect Oil Spill
Air Date: April 24, 1997
Horizon investigates the real impact that oil pollution has on our environment during a 12 month study.
9 - The Great Balloon Race
Air Date: May 1, 1997
Horizon reports on the technical and logistical struggles of teams trying for the first time to circumnavigate the earth by balloon.
10 - Crater of Death
Air Date: September 11, 1997
Horizon investigates the theory that a comet impact in the Gulf of Mexico was responsible for the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
11 - Mind Over Body
Air Date: September 18, 1997
Horizon reports on how mainstream science is now looking at whether the brain can affect the immune system.
12 - Out of Asia
Air Date: September 25, 1997
In this episode, Horizon presents new findings about the dates for the arrival of people in Australia and the invention of art.
13 - The Virus that Cures
Air Date: October 9, 1997
Horizon presents a documentary about scientists who now believe that viruses that can kill bacteria, known as bacteriophage, might win the fight against super-germs.
14 - The Man Who Lost his Body
Air Date: October 16, 1997
Looks at Ian Waterman, who at 19 caught a virus that destroyed half of his nervous system and who, in spite of medical assertions that he would never walk, feed or move again, managed by sheer will-power to get back some mobility. Examines the question of how far the brain can over-ride disease or physical problems.
15 - Dawn of the Clone Age
Air Date: October 23, 1997
This Horizon documentary is about how and why, a sheep named Dolly, became the first cloned copy of an adult mammal.