How does an organism carried by insects become an instrument of mass destruction? Can malaria be defeated or at least neutralized? What political and economic forces influence the battle against the disease? This program investigates social and scientific issues surrounding malaria and shows how the parasite wreaks havoc—especially in Africa, where it causes more deaths than AIDS. Explaining differences between strains of malaria, the program clarifies concepts with computer-generated animation and presents the expertise of Dr. Pierre Druilhe of France’s Pasteur Institute, Dr. Nurdan Ozer of the Society for Vector Ecology, and other medical and governmental authorities. (52 minutes)