Skip to main content
NOVA Wonders Can We Make Life?

Up Next

Einstein's Quantum Riddle

Einstein's Quantum Riddle

Season 46 Episode 2
53:51
Kīlauea: Hawaiʻi on Fire

Kīlauea: Hawaiʻi on Fire

Season 46 Episode 3
53:15
Decoding the Great Pyramid

Decoding the Great Pyramid

Season 46 Episode 4
53:23
Rise of the Rockets

Rise of the Rockets

Season 46 Episode 5
53:34
The Next Pompeii

The Next Pompeii

Season 46 Episode 6
53:22
Back to the Moon

Back to the Moon

Season 46 Episode 11
53:32
Rise of the Mammals

Rise of the Mammals

Season 46 Episode 17
53:27
Why Bridges Collapse

Why Bridges Collapse

Season 46 Episode 18
53:25
Decoding da Vinci

Decoding da Vinci

Season 46 Episode 21
53:31
Polar Extremes

Polar Extremes

Season 47 Episode 1
1:52:46
Dog Tales

Dog Tales

Season 47 Episode 2
53:21
Cat Tales

Cat Tales

Season 47 Episode 3
53:21
Back to Show
NOVA

NOVA Wonders Can We Make Life?

Season 45 Episode 105

"It's alive!" Since Dr. Frankenstein spoke those famous words, we've been alternately enthralled and terrified by the idea of creating life in the lab. Now, a revolution in genetic engineering and thrilling innovations in synthetic biology are bringing that dream—or nightmare, as the case may be—closer to reality. New tools allow researchers to use cells to create their own DNA.

Watch Preview
Support Provided By
Season
Lost Tombs of Notre Dame
53:40
Mysterious bodies are found under one of the world’s most famous cathedrals.
NOVA Season 51
53:40
From electric flight to artificial noses, engineers are finding new ways to preserve our planet.
Building Stuff: Reach It!
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:40
Humans are born to roam. See how engineers are inventing new ways to explore and extend our range.
Building Stuff: Boost It!
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:40
Is engineering humanity’s superpower? See how we can amplify our natural abilities in amazing ways.
Decoding the Universe: Quantum
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:40
Dive into the universe at the tiniest – and weirdest – of scales.
Solar System: Wandering Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Meet the surprising, oddball worlds moving around our solar system.
Solar System: Icy Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Visit strange, frozen worlds to discover the bizarre ice that forms beyond Earth.
Solar System: Volcano Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Discover the powerful volcanic eruptions that have shaped worlds across our solar system.
Solar System: Strange Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
What are the weirdest worlds in our solar system, and how did they come to be?
Solar System: Storm Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Discover the dramatic forces creating spectacular weather on neighboring planets and moons.
Decoding the Universe: Cosmos
53:38
Explore big discoveries that have revolutionized our understanding of the universe.
Secrets in Your Data
53:40
Find out who’s using your data and what you can do about it.
Active loading indicator