Possible+Risks+of+Extraterrestrial+Contact

=**Introduction **=

=toc = There have been a lot of recent and rapid developments in the space industry; ranging from the advancement of rockets, to space telescopes, and communication systems. These advance technologies will enable us to better understand of what lays out in the cosmos. However, despite all of these technological advances, there has been almost no political change since the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, commonly known as the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. Academics and scientists have voiced their concerns regarding one particular topic, mankind reaching farther out into the universe without a plan in place that would be designed to protect Earth and our way of life. Not only have they identified the possible risks of making contact with an extraterrestrial life form, but they have made several recommendations to mitigate these risks. Additionally, these recommendations would help improve our understanding and ability to accept extraterrestrial life. Scientists highly recommend that world leaders take all of the scientific research findings into consideration.

=**Background **=

= = The Space Race era began in 1957 with the first ballistic missile being launched into outer space and ended in 1975 with the first multinational human space flight. In the middle of this space fight the United States, Soviet Union, and 89 other countries signed the Outer Space Treaty. The United Nations’ space treaty laid down the rules for peaceful Multinational Corporation with regards to space exploration and science. The treaty briefly covered the topic of making contact with extraterrestrial life and the contamination of Earth.

 Article IX  “States Parties to the Treaty shall pursue studies of outer space, including the Moon  and other celestial bodies, and conduct exploration of them so as to avoid their harmful  contamination and also adverse changes in the environment of the Earth resulting from  the introduction of extraterrestrial matter and, where necessary, shall adopt appropriate  measures for this purpose” (US Department of State, 2017).

When this was first signed, it became apparent that the UN had deeply considered the possibility of life in outer space. They realized that this was such a real possibility that it was prudent to create policies to protect earth and our civilizations. It has been laid out, that if an incident were to occur varies government agencies would work together in order to verify the information. Then together they would notify the Secretary General of the UN of the confirmed situation. It would then be the responsibility of the Secretary General to inform the public of their findings. Not only would the Secretary General inform the people, he/she would then turn around and be the voice for the people when addressing the extraterrestrials. Unfortunately they never followed up with the research that was conducted and did not put into place formal policies.

=**Possible Risks **=

= = M. Neal, a risk management expert, identified the potential risks concerning contact with extraterrestrial life. The potential risks scenarios he outlined covers, the realization there is no other life in the universe, to microbial life found, to a civilization similar to ours, and advance civilizations. He even included the possibility of extraterrestrials already inhabiting our planet or who have visited previously. While the vastness of space and time are valid counter arguments to these risks, the possibility of scientists bringing back a biological specimen or a microbial lifeform inadvertently reaching Earth still pose great risks. There is also the possibility of a more advance civilization developing the technology for interstellar travel. If this is possible, then a more advance civilization could reach Earth and launch to large military campaign; one that has never before been seen. Or they could release an engineered pathogen that would wipe out humanity, but have little effect on the ecosystem and the planet’s resources.

A second research team categorized the possible extraterrestrial life that could be encountered. They went a step further by categorizing the risk levels of each extraterrestrial lifeform and how they would impact the human race.

 <span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">(Baum, Haqq-Misra, Domagal-Goldman, 2011).

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Here, the team was able to come up with this table by questioning the extraterrestrial’s ethics: selfishness or universalism. Selfishness is defined as an extraterrestrial putting itself first and working towards maximum gains. As such, universalism is the opposite of selfishness and is defined as an extraterrestrial wanting the best outcome for everyone. Determining what their ethics is, could possibly be determined by knowing if they are a heterogeneous or homogenous society. A homogenous society could pose a great threat to Earth because they would solely focus on their own needs.

=**<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Conclusion/Recommendation **=

= = <span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">M. Neal’s research stated that anything more than the discovery of microbial life on the other side of the universe, would be a danger to mankind. We have no policies or procedures in place and we have no way of protecting our culture, civilization, or food sources.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">In addition to these possible risks that these scientists did discover, they made recommendations on how political figures could potentially rectify these findings. One of these recommendations came from AE Goodman. Goodman suggested that the political body involving extraterrestrial life should be removed from the UN and become its own entity. By doing this it would create a separation from the UN, which currently has many internal and worldwide complications. This new entity would be made up of scientists and political figures that would have the responsibility of managing the scientific discovery of extraterrestrial life and possibly making contact. They would also be responsible for managing public information. This is prudent because it would make sure that the discoveries and findings are not influenced by outside agendas. It would also be able to focus on protecting the importance of this type of scientific research and future discoveries.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">If an announcement is made that we have made contact with extraterrestrial intelligence, political figures need to be sensitive to the way the general public might respond. This could call into questions, certain philosophical beliefs and religious beliefs, questioning their core foundation of belief. As a result this would create a public uproar, if not handled in a sensitive manner. While research by J. Arnould shows that the Christian Church has been open to the idea of extraterrestrial life, this religious group only makes up roughly 30% of the world’s religions and beliefs. Arnould also makes a point to explore the impacts on other religions and philosophical theories.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">To be honest, these scenarios are purely theoretical for the time being. However we need to consider that the possibility of these changing from scenarios to real life situations is more possible than one might think. What we do know is only what we have learned through researcher’s exploration of the unknown in space. As well as what movies and sci-fi have imagined to be the worst and best case scenarios play out. Why can we not use these models of mixed scientific research and sci-fi entertainment and literature as a stepping stone for possible real world solutions?

=**<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">References **=

= = <span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Arnould J. Does Extraterrestrial Intelligent Life Threaten Religion and Philosophy? Theology and Science. 2008;6(4):439-450.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Baum SD, Haqq-Misra JD, Domagal-Goldman SD. Would contact with extraterrestrials benefit or harm humanity? a scenario analysis. Acta Astronautica. 2011;68(11-12):2114-2129

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Dobrescu EM. Economy of terra and extraterrestrial civilizations. Journal of Knowledge Management, Economics, and Information Technology. 2012;1:68-76.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Gartelle GM. Unknown caller: can we effectively manage the announcement of discovery of extraterrestrial life? International Journal of Astrobiology. 2015 March 8;14(4):577-587.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Goodman AE. Diplomatic and political problems affecting the formulation and implementation of an international protocol for activities following the detection of a signal from extraterrestrial intelligence. Acta Astronautica. 1990; 21(2):103-108.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Harrison AA. Thinking intelligently about extraterrestrial Intelligence: an application of living systems theory. Behavioral Science.1993;38(3):189-217.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Horvat M. Calculating the probability of detecting radio signals from alien civilizations. International Journal of Astrobiology. 2006;5(2):143-149.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Neal M. Preparing for extraterrestrial contact. Risk Management.2014;16(2):63-87.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Sri Kantha S. Pros and cons in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Medical Hypotheses. 1996;46:183-187.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">Vladar HP. The game of active search for extra-terrestrial intelligence: breaking the ‘great silence.’ International Journal of Astrobiology. 2012;12(1):53-62.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Arial&#39;,&#39;sans-serif&#39;; font-size: 13.3333px;">U.S. Department of State. Treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies. U.S. Department of State [Internet]. 2017. Available from: https://www.state.gov/t/isn/5181.htm