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The Nature of Things

Season 10 1969 - 1970

  • 1969-09-25T00:00:00Z on CBC Television
  • 45m
  • 21h (28 episodes)
  • Canada
  • English
  • Documentary
Hosted by the world-renowned geneticist and environmentalist, David Suzuki, every week presents stories that are driven by a scientific understanding of the world.

28 episodes

Season Premiere

1969-09-25T00:00:00Z

10x01 Danger: Man At Work - In the Balance

Season Premiere

10x01 Danger: Man At Work - In the Balance

  • 1969-09-25T00:00:00Z45m

Part one of a six-part series on pollution. This program shows how the comparatively new science of ecology has shown that the fate of life on earth lies in the balance - unless man stops taking from nature without giving anything back.

Part two of a six-part series on pollution. The ways man has succeeded, and failed, to duplicate in his cities the checks and balances of the natural environment. At its best, the city is a marvel of controlled environment, protecting people from the elements and offering them a broad spectrum of choice in style of living. At its worst, the city is noisy, dirty, crowded, hot and monotonous. This program looks at how man must try to make urban life a part of the global cycle of nature, or perish.

The third program in a six-part series about pollution. This program shows how water is distributed throughout our environment, how it purifies itself, and how man has maltreated it. Canadian examples of water pollution shown in this program include the industrial waste which is wiping out the salmon of the St. John and Miramichi Rivers in New Brunswick; and the mounting danger to British Columbia's Fraser River.

Fourth program in a six-part series on pollution. The program show the history of air pollution from the advent of coal-burning in the 14th Century, through the Industrial Revolution. Only quite recently has pollution increased in volume to the point where life on earth is threatened. Incomplete combustion of fuels, vehicle exhausts, smog and wastes from industry are all contributing.

Fifth in a six-part series on pollution. All pesticides are poisonous in greater or lesser degrees. Most experts regard them as short-term solutions to pest control. They kill not only the pests, but also necessary beneficial organisms, such as the oxygen-producing phyto-plankton of the ocean, which renew approximately 70 per cent of the world's oxygen supply. The program investigates long-term effects of such substances as DDT, possible alternatives to chemical pesticides - including non-poisonous biological methods of pest control.

Final program of a sub-series on pollution and conservation. This program offers statements and observations by experts on the extent of pollution in the world today and what can be done to improve it. Included are: former U.S. Secretary of Interior Stuart Udall; ecologist Lamont Cole; and Roland Clement of the US National Audobon Society.

A 24-hour day in the life of a young family physician, Dr. Reg Perkin, covering everything from his 7 am jogging to his 10 am tonsillectomy operation; his afternoon office hours; his occasional duty on emergency call at Toronto's South Peel Hospital; his Thursday afternoon golf; and relaxation with his family at home. The film is also an examination of the direction medical training and health services are taking in Canada.

Every year, over 12,000 Canadians are born with serious inherited defects. Maureen McChesney, 12, is one. A victim of cystic fibrosis, she must sleep in a special mist tent, take 110 pills and submit to three hours of special medical treatment every day. The program focuses on Maureen and her treatment and looks at genetics research and some other diseases transmitted through inheritance, including muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, and mongolism. It shows what medicine tries to do when there is a suspicion of genetic damage in the foetus, and how those born with genetic defects are assisted.

This program focuses on the research into the effects of drugs on cancers in mice being conducted by the internationally renowned cancer team at Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital. Written by the head of the team, Dr. Bob Bruce, who also appears on the program, the film begins with a human patient with a tumour which has passed beyond the stage where it can be treated by either surgery or radiation. At the end we see the patient again, after successful treatment with drugs. Also J.W. Meakin of the Princess Margaret Hospital appears.

1969-12-11T01:00:00Z

10x10 The Ages of Man: Drugs

10x10 The Ages of Man: Drugs

  • 1969-12-11T01:00:00Z45m

A study of how medical researchers are using animals to determine the effect of drugs such as marijuana and LSD, and even liquor, on man.

The theme of biology for the past 20 years has been the origin of biological constancy. The theme of the next 20 years will be the origin of biological diversity. This program explains why it is essential to understand the complicated mechanism of the normal cell before we can really understand what happens when cancerous cells run riot. The film focuses on the distinguished and internationally known work of Dr. James Till and Dr. B. McCullough of the Princess Margaret Hospital, and is written by them.

One quarter of all Canadians will be affected some time in their lives by arthritis. This program looks at a case of rheumatoid arthritis, the drug treatments available, and some of the therapeutic aids to assist a person suffering from the disease. The film focuses largely on research into the cause and nature of arthritis. In the show are: Dr. D.A. Gordon, Wellesley Hospital; Dr. N.S. Taichman, University of Toronto Medical Centre; and Dr. I. Broder, Toronto Western Hospital.

This program is a brief review of the main achievements of science over the past ten years, and attempts to anticipate some of the advancements which may be expected in the seventies. The remarks of many eminent Canadian scientists are linked by the comments of Dr. Isaac Asimov. Among the topics are: progress in the earth sciences; research into the fundamental particles of matter; ecology; pollution control; DNA; the origins of life; the understanding of the physical basis of memory; computers; astronomy; astrophysics; space flight; and progress in medicine, particularly in transplants. The latter portion features Dr. Pierre Grondin, Canada's first heart transplant surgeon.

A look at the coronary thrombosis which kills three out of ten adults; heart research in Canada.

History and research in the field of organ transplants.

When is a man dead? Canadian physicians discuss the medical, ethical and legal questions involved with death, organ transplants and maintaining physical life after the death of the brain. (Last of the series).

A look at the luxuriant parks and reserves where various species of wild animals and birds still survive.

1970-03-20T01:00:00Z

10x18 A Sense of Time (1)

10x18 A Sense of Time (1)

  • 1970-03-20T01:00:00Z45m

First in a three-part series visiting some of Canada's 700 museums in an attempt to show how people of all ages use them for self-discovery, a sense of communication with the past and a greater awareness of what has shaped today's world.

Africa as it was during the 18th and 19th centuries. Final program in this season's series.

1970-03-27T01:00:00Z

10x20 A Sense of Time (2)

10x20 A Sense of Time (2)

  • 1970-03-27T01:00:00Z45m

Second in a series of three programs on Canada's museums. This program presents views from adults — those who feel that the past has no relevance to their lives, and others who find themselves culturally enriched by the past. Includes a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum.

1970-04-03T01:00:00Z

10x21 A Sense of Time (3)

10x21 A Sense of Time (3)

  • 1970-04-03T01:00:00Z45m

A look "backstage" at the Ontario Science Center, the Royal Ontario Museum and Old Fort Henry.

1970-05-15T00:00:00Z

10x22 Oceanography

10x22 Oceanography

  • 1970-05-15T00:00:00Z45m

Recent advances in oceanography.

1970-05-22T00:00:00Z

10x23 Continental Drift

10x23 Continental Drift

  • 1970-05-22T00:00:00Z45m

The theory that the Earth's continents are moving is examined.

1970-05-29T00:00:00Z

10x24 Sense Substitution

10x24 Sense Substitution

  • 1970-05-29T00:00:00Z45m

Research on new electronics and mechanical devices to help the blind and deaf realize true sensory perception.

The latest observations of astronomers have turned up new kinds of stars; mysterious emanations from deep in space called pulsars and quasars.

Research into the physics of sound and hearing has caused increasing alarm among scientists and physicians about the effects of high noise levels upon people, and the destructive psychological and physical effects of constant noise pollution.

The physics of energy and the problem of producing large quantities of energy with little pollution form the basis of this program.

1970-06-26T00:00:00Z

10x28 Physical Sciences: Laser

10x28 Physical Sciences: Laser

  • 1970-06-26T00:00:00Z45m

The qualities of laser and normal light are contrasted. Final program in the series.

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