Post by Marsrocks on Jul 10, 2012 9:33:55 GMT -5
Below is a link to a report from 1999, basically on the impact of revealing the existence of certain findings in astrobiology.
It is the latest version of the often cited Brookings Report.
This is the title:
NASA Technical Memorandum
WORKSHOP ON
THE SOCIETAL IMPLICATIONS OF
ASTROBIOLOGY
FINAL REPORT
AMES RESEARCH CENTER
November 16-17, 1999
Conference Organizers
Kathleen Connell, NASA Ames Research Center
Steven J. Dick, United States Naval Observatory
Kenneth Rose, Washington, DC
Here are a few passages that caught my attention:
The discovery of cosmically local, independent life or “second genesis” will suggest that the universe is teeming with life. Eventually, we might conclude that the universe tends towards creating life forms that are complex, intelligent, and conscious and that we ourselves are but one example among a multitude.
Despite preconceptions, we have no real knowledge about extraterrestrial life forms and civilizations, if such exist. Whether the first confirmed detection is fossilized or alive, microbial or intelligent, it is extremely important for us to be highly knowledgeable about the likely reactions of different constituencies (the press, various religious groups, political leaders, and the general public). We would be foolish and negligent if we did not study such reactions well ahead of time and make state-of-the art preparations for major discoveries. Carefully prepared plans should be in place very soon, because evidence of extraterrestrial life could be found at any time.
Confirmed discoveries of single-celled fossils on Mars or simple life forms on Europa could have profound effects on world-views and religious beliefs, and will raise many ethical and practical issues. We need formal post-detection protocols for single celled organisms as well as for advanced technological civilizations.
astrobiology.arc.nasa.gov/workshops/societal/societal_report.pdf
It is the latest version of the often cited Brookings Report.
This is the title:
NASA Technical Memorandum
WORKSHOP ON
THE SOCIETAL IMPLICATIONS OF
ASTROBIOLOGY
FINAL REPORT
AMES RESEARCH CENTER
November 16-17, 1999
Conference Organizers
Kathleen Connell, NASA Ames Research Center
Steven J. Dick, United States Naval Observatory
Kenneth Rose, Washington, DC
Here are a few passages that caught my attention:
The discovery of cosmically local, independent life or “second genesis” will suggest that the universe is teeming with life. Eventually, we might conclude that the universe tends towards creating life forms that are complex, intelligent, and conscious and that we ourselves are but one example among a multitude.
Despite preconceptions, we have no real knowledge about extraterrestrial life forms and civilizations, if such exist. Whether the first confirmed detection is fossilized or alive, microbial or intelligent, it is extremely important for us to be highly knowledgeable about the likely reactions of different constituencies (the press, various religious groups, political leaders, and the general public). We would be foolish and negligent if we did not study such reactions well ahead of time and make state-of-the art preparations for major discoveries. Carefully prepared plans should be in place very soon, because evidence of extraterrestrial life could be found at any time.
Confirmed discoveries of single-celled fossils on Mars or simple life forms on Europa could have profound effects on world-views and religious beliefs, and will raise many ethical and practical issues. We need formal post-detection protocols for single celled organisms as well as for advanced technological civilizations.
astrobiology.arc.nasa.gov/workshops/societal/societal_report.pdf
