January 25, 7:51 PM
Seattle Exopolitics ExaminerAlfred Lambremont Webre
Cambridge: Prof. Morris-'ET exploitative'
Mainstream
scientists attending the January 25-26, 2010 discussion section on
"detection of extraterrestrial life and the consequences for science
and society" during U.K.’s Royal Society’s 350th anniversary conference have given intelligent extraterrestrial life a mixed review.
Some scientists reflect a cautious optimism about extraterrestrial life. One report
states, “Mr. Marek Kukula, public astronomer at the Royal Observatory
in Greenwich, said: “Part of me is with the enthusiasts and I would
like us to try to make proactive contact with a wiser, more peaceful
civilization…. We might like to assume that if there is intelligent
life out there it is wise and benevolent, but of course we have no
evidence for this. Given the consequences of contact may not be what
we initially hoped for, then we need governments and the UN to get
involved in any discussions.’”
Other scientists presenting at the
Royal Society present a darker evolutionary picture of the threat of
extraterrestrial civilizations visiting Earth. Simon Conway Morris,professor of evolutionarypaleobiology at Cambridge University, is quoted as stating
that “Extra-terrestrials might not only resemble us but have our
foibles, such as greed, violence and a tendency to exploit others'
resources. And while aliens could come in peace they are quite as
likely to be searching for somewhere to live, and to help themselves to
water, minerals and fuel.”
Open scientific discussion about the
existence of extraplanetary life is reportedly encouraged in this
conference. At the same, the Royal Society conference involves mainstream scientists who seem largely unaware of the evidence for an existing extraterrestrial presence on Earth at this time.
