This documentary examines the complex race to decode the human genome. Examines the work of, and contains interviews with: Francis Collins, director of the National Center for Human Genome Research; J. Craig Venter, head of its rival, the private Celera Genomics; and the Whitehead Institute's Eric Lander, one of the leaders of the Human Genome Project.

Special features include : Printable materials for educators ; Access to Cracking the Code web site ; Scene selection. Live action and computer animated. Originally produced as an episode of the television program Nova in 2001.