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Ethics and the Potential Conflicts between Astrobiology, Planetary Protection, and Commercial Use of Space

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  • Erik Persson

    (Center of Theological Inquiry, 50 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA)

Abstract

A high standard of planetary protection is important for astrobiology, though the risk for contamination can never be zero. It is therefore important to find a balance. If extraterrestrial life has a moral standing in its own right, it will also affect what we have to do to protect it. The questions of how far we need to go to protect extraterrestrial life will be even more acute and complicated when the time comes to use habitable worlds for commercial purposes. There will also be conflicts between those who want to set a world aside for more research and those who want to give the green light for development. I believe it is important to be proactive in relation to these issues. The aim of my project is therefore to identify, elucidate, and if possible, suggest solutions to potential conflicts between astrobiology, planetary protection, and commercial use of space.

Suggested Citation

  • Erik Persson, 2017. "Ethics and the Potential Conflicts between Astrobiology, Planetary Protection, and Commercial Use of Space," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-3, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:8:y:2017:i:1:p:12-:d:99818
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Erik Persson, 2014. "What Does It Take to Establish that a World Is Uninhabited Prior to Exploitation? A Question of Ethics as well as Science," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-15, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Erik Persson & Jessica Abbott & Christian Balkenius & Anna Cabak Redei & Klara Anna Čápová & Dainis Dravins & David Dunér & Markus Gunneflo & Maria Hedlund & Mats Johansson & Anders Melin & Petter Per, 2019. "How Will the Emerging Plurality of Lives Change How We Conceive of and Relate to Life?," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, June.

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    1. Erik Persson & Jessica Abbott & Christian Balkenius & Anna Cabak Redei & Klara Anna Čápová & Dainis Dravins & David Dunér & Markus Gunneflo & Maria Hedlund & Mats Johansson & Anders Melin & Petter Per, 2019. "How Will the Emerging Plurality of Lives Change How We Conceive of and Relate to Life?," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, June.

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