| The Purpose and Future of Life - The Science and Ethics of Seeding the Universe Contributor(s): Mautner, Michael Noah (Author) |
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ISBN: 0473096358 ISBN-13: 9780473096359 Publisher: Legacy Books OUR PRICE: $14.25 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: January 2000 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Science | Life Sciences - Biology |
| Dewey: 574 |
| Physical Information: 0.77" H x 6.16" W x 9.14" (0.98 lbs) 292 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The future of life in the universe is an important subject of astrobiology. In this new popular science title, a well recognized researcher describes how we can seed new solar systems with microbial representatives of our family of organic life. The book also describes a life-centered astroethics that will motivate these missions. It describes the unity of all gene/protein life: a common ancestry, a special place in Nature, and a shared future. As part of this family, it is our purpose to safeguard and expand life in the universe. Professor Mautner pioneered research on the fertilities of extra-terrestrial materials in asteroids/meteorites. The results show that many microorganisms and even plants can grow on resources found commonly in space, which are basically similar to Earth materials. The conclusions are significant: If life can flourish on Earth, life can flourish throughout the universe. Based on the results on microbes and meteorites, the author estimates the ultimate amounts of life that our missions can induce in the cosmological future. A life-centered astroethics can assure that our descendants will be there to enjoy this future. |