Many scientists and consumers believe that genetic engineering will vastly improve life on Earth, while others believe it will spell the ruin of the planet. What are the facts behind the rhetoric and the hysteria? In this program, Dr. David Cove surveys past and probable future applications of genetic engineering while calmly presenting possible benefits and liabilities. The case is stated for genetically modified crops; microorganism-produced human insulin; engineered vaccines, which involve no disease-causing microbes; and the diagnosis and cure of gene-based diseases. The concept of risk assessment is also defined. (21 minutes)