| The ethics of space exploration.....
With all the talk of Mars, and the growing evidence that it at least may have once been suitable for life as we know it, I got to thinking wayyyyy down the road, beyond my lifetime for sure.
If we were to discover life elsewhere, I doubt many people would object to the collection of simple life forms(bacteria, etc...) to be returned to earth, or to be removed from their planet in some manner(to a space station prehaps) for further scientific study.
But what if we discover intelligent life? Is there a moral/ethical dilema regarding the contact we make with that species? If it is of a simple intelligence, like say an animal of some sort, should we attempt to collect and study any of that species? If it is an intelligent creature, but yet not technologically capable(think humans, even a mere 200 years ago), do we make contact with that creature or should we simply observe as best we can without interference?
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"What Jesus fails to appreciate is that it's the meek who are the problem."- Reg |