Evidence of Life on Mars: To Be Provided by Earth?

Transpermia is actually just a theory--a theory that is now being discussed when Mars life is discussed. It suggests that microbial life from one planet could be introduced to another planet and survive. The theory of transpermia explains that this exchange of life is possible when rocks are thrown from the surface of their home planet in collisions. The Russian Federal Space Agency's Phobos Sample Return Mission has plans to introduce microbial life into the world of Phobos, the largest of the two moons of the planet Mars.

Many people who are involved with the exploration of the "final frontier" view this mission scheduled to take place in mid 2011 as the utmost disregard for the provisions of the United Nations Outer Space Treaty of 1967. The treaty, which was signed by nations participating in the exploration of space, basically served as an agreement to refrain from contaminating outer space with microbial life from Earth and with protecting Earth from alien microbes. This meant that sterilization of spacecraft used to be practiced in accordance with the treaty. Some are asking how it is possible to go from taking such care not to contaminate alien worlds to taking measures to contaminate them on purpose. Man has certainly been successful contaminating all forms of Earth life, there's no reason to doubt his ability to contaminate Mars life--even if he has to "create" it himself first.

The mission will allow the live bacteria three years to see what it can do on Phobos. Will it live or die? If it lives, will it change into some form of life unknown to Earth--Mars life that will threaten life on Earth which is plagued with enough problems?

Solving the Mystery of Mars Life

Some very insightful reader comments have been made on the article, "Don't Send Bugs to Mars," by Barry E. DiGregorio. Commenters reminded us that Earth saw microbial survival in the break-up of the Columbia space shuttle in 2003. One of the most insightful comment, however, speaks loudly when discussing Mars life and what is considered evidence of life on Mars. The commenter reminded, "The question "Is there life on Mars?" has surely been answered by our own ignorant actions. Yes, there is life on Mars, because we put it there."

Mars Life Brought to Us by the Former Soviet Union

The debate over deliberately introducing microbial life has many sides. Some accuse American opponents of the mission of being against it only because the United States is not leading the mission. Others are opposed to so much energy, time, money, and interest being poured into discovering Mars life when Earth life leaves a lot to be desired. There are also those who fully support the mission. Some hope the microbes survive even if there's even a remote chance of them being changed into a life form that would be considered monstrous to "Earthlings."

Source:
Barry E. DiGregorio
Don't Send Bugs to Mars
NewScientist.com