THE DARK SECRET OF HENDRICK SCHON

Imagine a world where disease could be eradicated by an injection of tiny robots the size of molecules. That is the hope offered by nanotechnology - the science of microscopically small machines. But others fear nanotechnology could lead to a non-biological cancer - where swarms of tiny nanobots come together and literally devour human flesh.

Sounds like science fiction? It certainly did until a brilliant young scientist called Hendrik Schon seemed to bring it a step closer.

Horizon explores the debate surrounding nanotechnology, the science of microscopic machines, which has polarised international opinion. The programme analyses the breakthrough made by Hendrik Schon, creator of the world's first organic transistor. His efforts appeared to take the scientific community one step closer to being able to grow tiny computers as living cells, but the outcome of his work had greater repercussions than anyone could have predicted.

'From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow.' - Aeschylus (c. 525-456 BC)