> The film focuses primarily on Zubrin
Ugh.
Hands Off the Planet? How Finding Life On Mars Could Stop ExplorationCould finding life on Mars be a biological show-stopper, a discovery that would slow down or even halt plans to send humans there? ... "That would be insane," said Robert Zubrin, president of the Mars Society in Lakewood, Colorado. "If thats the case, we need to start action immediately to shut down on Earth chlorination plants, medical schools, anti-biotic factories and stop the production of mouthwash," he told SPACE.com. "First of all, there is no life on the martian surface...there cant be," Zubrin said. Devoid of water on its topside, Mars surface is saturated by life-killing ultraviolet radiation and covered with a dusty, peroxide-laden covering, he said... "First, I think if we find life on Mars, we should go and study it. Secondly, that planets potential usefulness for humanity as a future home is clear. We accomplish none of those objectives if we stay away. To say that millions of people from Earth cannot have a planet of refuge from persecution or a planet of opportunity, to have those dreams denied because esthetically it is pleasing that native martian bacteria are left un-intruded upon...thats just crazy. That is an esthetic position, not an ethical position," Zubrin said.
by Leonard David
28 March 2000