Will humanity be prepared if the next pandemic-causing virus is of extraterrestrial origin? The question may seem surprising, but researchers from several countries believe that the risk does exist, even if it is low.
According to a publication in the journal BioScience of November 17, 2021, contamination on Earth by an extraterrestrial virus would be possible. For the authors of the paper, it is impossible to speak of zero risk , although this same risk is low. However, it could increase with future space travel. Four researchers agree on this theory:Anthony Ricciardi (McGill University, Canada), Phillip Cassey (University of Adelaide, Australia), Stefan Leuko (Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Cologne, Germany) and Andrew P Woolnough (University of Melbourne, Australia).
Rather surprisingly, the hypothesis in question addresses a question that is the opposite of what space agencies are currently preoccupied with. Indeed, NASA, ESA and others are generally more concerned about human contamination of future lands explored such as Mars. In addition, you should know that in the past, fungi have been discovered in sterile rooms at NASA. Bacteria have also survived three years outside the International Space Station (ISS).
Also remember that in 2019, humanity had introduced life on the Moon with the crash of the Israeli probe Beresheet (see below) However, it contained tardigrades, organisms now famous for their incredible resistance to various extreme conditions.
Researchers estimate that bringing a virus to Earth from the Moon, Jupiter or elsewhere is very low. In addition, remember that just today, humans have not yet discovered any real life forms outside our planet. Nevertheless, scientists believe that the bacteria that astronauts take with them on their missions could undergo transformations before their return to Earth . Biologist Anthony Ricciardi therefore ensures that this type of risk should be taken into account by revisiting and extending current protocols. In other words, these same protocols would be insufficient or not completely suitable for the imminent human conquest of the Solar System.
If he qualifies this hypothesis as being "highly unlikely" , he considers above all that it would be unacceptable. Concretely, it would therefore be necessary to reflect in order to develop new detection and eradication strategies possible pathogenic threats. In order to achieve this, better understanding the behavior of invasive species and the means of remedying it seems to be a good lead.
