PROBES 'ARE VIRUS RISK'

July 16, 1996
Source: Electronic Telegraph
By Roger Highfield, Science Editor

FEARS were expressed yesterday that space probes could become contaminated with alien microbes and put the Earth at risk.

Scientists at the COSPAR '96 meeting at the University of Birmingham yesterday urged a cautious approach when it comes to the return to Earth of materials from planets such as Mars or from Jupiter's moon, Europa. With a mission to bring samples from Mars to Earth planned for within the next 10 years, the scientists discussed how to quarantine the substances, mindful that such measures taken for the Apollo missions were rushed.

Most were optimistic that "sample return" missions could be conducted without putting the Earth at risk. As space explorers make progress in their search for evidence of extra-terrestrial life, the likelihood of discovering sites in space where Earth life, at least, could grow has greatly increased.

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