Slashdot Mirror
Swiss Scientists Discover DNA Remains Active After Space Journey and Re-entry
Zothecula writes: It may sound like the first chapter of a Quatermass thriller, but scientists from the University of Zurich have discovered that DNA can survive not only a flight through space, but also re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere and still remain active. The findings are based on suborbital rocket flights and could have considerable impact on questions about the origins of life on Earth and the problems of terrestrial space probes contaminating other planets.
"...problems of terrestrial space probes contaminating other planets"
The billions of dollars spent on the space program should be spent feeding starving people and cleaning up the environment.
If we can achieve that, then perhaps we would be responsible enough as a race to reach out to other planets in our solar system.
As it stands, we have absolutely no business occupying other planets until we learn to take care of our own.
Political correctness is really just herd psychology pushed by insecure people who desperately seek social conformity.