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Swiss Scientists Discover DNA Remains Active After Space Journey and Re-entry

Posted by Soulskill on from the when-you-land-on-a-planet,-you're-landing-on-every-other-planet-it's-been-with dept.

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.

2 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. Our astronauts will be relieved! by Steve1952 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Finally, after 50+ years of sending astronauts into space, proof that when they return, they will still have their DNA. Send the news to John Glen!

  2. Re:Contamination by Njovich · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So what are you doing on Slashdot then? How can you spend time on this while people are starving?

    Shouldn't you be feeding people?