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.
Episode 3
Shipwreck
March 13, 1997
Horizon follows the investigations into the origins of a 16th century shipwreck discovered off of the coast of the Channel Islands.
Episode 4
Genius of the Jet
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.
Episode 5
Smallpox on Death Row
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?
Episode 6
Silent Children, New Language
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.
Episode 7
Turned On by Danger
April 17, 1997
Horizon reports on a radical new theory by Professor Polly Matzinger about the human body's immune system.
Episode 8
A Perfect Oil Spill
April 24, 1997
Horizon investigates the real impact that oil pollution has on our environment during a 12 month study.
Episode 9
The Great Balloon Race
May 1, 1997
Horizon reports on the technical and logistical struggles of teams trying for the first time to circumnavigate the earth by balloon.
Episode 10
Crater of Death
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.
Episode 11
Mind Over Body
September 18, 1997
Horizon reports on how mainstream science is now looking at whether the brain can affect the immune system.
Episode 12
Out of Asia
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.
Episode 13
The Virus that Cures
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.
Episode 14
The Man Who Lost his Body
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.
Episode 15
Dawn of the Clone Age
October 23, 1997
This Horizon documentary is about how and why, a sheep named Dolly, became the first cloned copy of an adult mammal.