Title on cassette label: The Nature of Things Biomimicry.

Host, David Suzuki ; executive producer, Michael Allder.

Biomimicry, a new science that studies nature's best ideas and then imitates the designs, may in the process discover how to solve some human problems. The biomimics goal is to find benign and sustainable ways to meet our needs for food, materials, medicine and energy. By learning from nature, biomimics are finding out that in all her activities, nature creates conditions conducive to life. In answer to the question, "How shall we live"?, the biomimics have realized one very important and hopeful fact: we are surrounded by genius. Part 1 (52 min.) looks at scientists who are studying the problems associated with the over-development of the earth's surface and finding alternate solutions that learn from and emulate the ways in which plants help nature sustain itself. Part 2 (54 min.) reveals the breakthroughs made by scientists studying the sea in particular the extraordinary adhesive properties of mussel protein and the exceptional durability of the abalone's shell, the quality of which we have never been able to duplicate. Instead of assuming superior intelligence over these "lower animals", biomimicry is wisely and humbly looking to nature for inspiration.

DVD