Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives; it’s a well-known fact. But what does that really mean? For many decades, it meant that chimpanzees were used as substitutes for humans. We are so like them that scientists believed that their bodies could be used to gain a deeper understanding of everything from brain function to the efficacy of certain drugs. But we now know that our close bond with chimpanzees is about much more than just our shared physical traits. We’ve learned that what we once considered uniquely human -- social intelligence, wide-ranging emotions, non-verbal communication, tool use -- is anything but. As Jane Goodall says in Safe Haven for Chimps, “chimps show there’s no sharp line dividing us from the rest of the animal kingdom.” Biomedical research on chimps has persisted, despite everything we’ve learned. The U.S. is one of the last countries to allow it. But now that’s changing, signaling an evolution in our thinking.
The Nature of Things is hosted by the world-renowned geneticist and environmentalist, David Suzuki, the program is in its 55th season, a landmark by any standard
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The Nature of Things is one of the most successful series in the history of Canadian television. Every week, the influential program presents stories that are driven by a scientific understanding of the world. Stories full of adventure, drama and insight. Our programs entertain and inspire audiences by engaging with the people and personalities behind the science. From the search for other life in the universe to the psychology of babies, from the furry animals that invade your backyard to the consequences of human progress, The Nature of Things throws open the door to the wonder and accomplishments of science.