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re: He's an astrobiologist and bioterrorism expert
Mark Eby — (archived)

Chyba is immenently qualified to adress the issues you mentioned and he has done meteorite/meteroid calculations. I think he is one of the people who have studied the transfer from Mars issue. I'm very sure he has studied the issue of the potential devastation of small impactors.

Being an astrobiologist does not qualify you as more of an expert on disease potentail than MD's and Microbiologists. Astrobiology is a multidisciplinary field which combines studies from physics, microbiology, geology and astronomy as well as any other that seems relevant to studying the potential for life on other planets. Even expertise in bioterrorism only implies expertise in dispersal methods for known biological agents, but it does suggest an after degree study of biology.

You should read the National Research Council's report on the issue. It is very detailed and I think you will see that it addresses all the issues Chyba raises. It discusses the topics in far more detail than the article you cited. You will also see the caliber of people on it.

Regards,
Mark

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