From: Ron Baalke (baalke@zagami.jpl.nasa.gov)
Subject: Exobiologist To Discuss 'Biologically Reversible' Exploration At Mars Society Conference
This is the only article in this thread
View: Original Format
Newsgroups: alt.sci.planetary, alt.life-mars, sci.bio.misc
Date: 2003-06-25 08:56:25 PST

EXOBIOLOGIST TO DISCUSS "BIOLOGICALLY REVERSIBLE" EXPLORATION AT MARS
SOCIETY CONFERENCE

Mars Society release

23 June 2003

Noted exobiologist, Dr. Chris McKay, will discuss the concept of
"biologically reversible" exploration of the Red Planet at the 6th
International Mars Society Convention which will take place at the
Hilton Hotel in Eugene Oregon, Aug 14-17, 2003. McKay's presentation
will be followed by an open debate on the subject "Is the Achievement of
Biologically Reversible Mars Exploration Achievable and Desirable?"

The McKay presentation and following debate are only two of over a
hundred papers, plenaries, debates, and panels that will take place at
the Mars Society convention, which will deal with all matters, including
the science, technology, politics, historical significance, and
philosophy, associated with the human exploration and settlement of
Mars.

The deadline for abstract submission to the conference is June 30, 2003.

Those wishing to present papers should send abstracts of no more than
300 words to msabstracts@aol.com. Registration for the Convention is
open at www.marssociety.org. Reduced rates are available for those who
register by June 30, 2003.

Dr. McKay's abstract is presented below.

Making Human Exploration of Mars Biologically Reversible

Chris McKay, NASA/ARC, Mail stop 245-3, Moffett Field CA 94035
cmckay@mail.arc.nasa.gov

Mars is interesting because it may have had life in the past and because
it may be a place for life in the future. However we are uncertain of
the current state of life on Mars. There are at least three
possibilities: 1) there is life on Mars that is distinctly different
from life on Earth, 2) there is life on Mars that is genetically related
to life on Earth, or 3) there is no life on Mars. Until we know which
of these possibilities is correct we must explore Mars is a way that
keeps our options open with respect to future life. I argue that this
means that we must explore Mars in a way that is biologically
reversible. In this paper I discuss the implications for reversible
exploration for human missions to Mars.

For further information about the Mars Society, visit our web site at
www.marssociety.org.