Anne Simon is a world-renowned biologist and expert on plant viruses. She has also been scientific advisor to the "X-Files" TV programme since the series began. In this volume she explores the realities that lie behind the discoveries made in each episode by Mulder and Scully. Despite the achievements of modern science and technology, it is estimated that less than one per cent of living creatures have yet been identified. Unknown plants, animals and microbes still inhabit our planet, and new discoveries are made every year - for example, the giant interconnected fungus "Amilaria ostoyae", which spans an area of two and a half miles, and is thus the largest organism on earth, found recently in the state of Washington. Dr Simon goes on to discuss such scientific topics as cloning, genetic engineering, hybrid organisms and genetics, cancer and ageing, cryogenics, killer viruses and more. Whilst doing this, she refers to the "X-Files" episode relevant to her subject, and gives the inside story of how the story-line was developed.