It’s time for a pop quiz! Which of the following three science experiments failed?
A. Genetically engineering goats to produce spider silk
B. Embedding beetles with remote controls
C. Cross-breeding of humans and apes
If you answered A, sorry, you’re wrong. If you answered B, you’re wrong too. If you answered C, you’re correct … and you’re probably wondering why there was such an experiment. Well, it’s a twisted but true science tale, and one of the first stories told by Dark Matters, a new show on the Science Channel that promises to profile “strange science and expose some of history’s most bizarre experiments.”
Fans of the popular science-infused series Fringe will recognize the host of Dark Matters, John Noble, who is known for his already keen interest in science. We have to say, considering Dark Matter’s subject material, Noble is the perfect fit. The premiere episode featured the above human/ape experiment (where a Soviet biologist implanted women with ape sperm in the 1920s), Thomas Edison’s role in the electric chair, and a debunking of a science myth involving teleporting Navy ships. Future shows look into the science of zombies, attempted head transplants, and other bizarre (but true) science experiments. So, if you’re up for a darker look at science, and some more John Noble in your life (and DVR), check out Dark Matters (airing Wednesdays at 10 pm).
