http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20061206/sc_space/changingmarsgullieshintatrecentflowingwaterIf we do truly find water springing from an aquifer on Mars, it is almost certain that crews will be sent there to drill for it. The question then arises: Would it be moral for us to do so? Such water could support ancient microbes that would be disturbed by our drilling. Is it then moral for us to go to another planet to poke and prod it? And also what could be released by such drilling? This is a very similar situation as the controversy surrounding Lake Vostok in the Antarctic which I wrote about on my water is life blog. Scientists believe that there could be a link between the organisms found at Lake Vostok and those on one of Jupiter's moons, Europa, and now perhaps even Mars. However, there is a debate about whether or not we should disturb the lake below the ice where microbes that survive without light or heat exist. It is a moral, ethical and environmental question. I think this is absolutely fascinating. Is there a link between the Earth and other planets to support the export of life to Earth, and do we have the right to disturb it?
See my entries here:
http://water-is-life.blogspot.com/2006/08/what-lies-beneath-lake-vostok-part-one.htmlhttp://water-is-life.blogspot.com/2006/08/what-lies-beneath-lake-vostok-part-two.html