British scientists claim to have found proof of alien life

That's kinda awesome, I would love for it to be true!

It would be in regards to human development a bad idea to meet "alien life" because whether it is hostile or not, it would almost certainly give us diseases and we would give it diseases, that both parties immune system would not be prepared for.

Reply 21

Rachel0

10

Original post by Rational Thinker

It would be in regards to human development a bad idea to meet "alien life" because whether it is hostile or not, it would almost certainly give us diseases and we would give it diseases, that both parties immune system would not be prepared for.

While that is true, think of all the things we could learn from it!

Reply 22

Rational Thinker

Original post by Rachel0

While that is true, think of all the things we could learn from it!

That is true. However it would have to be closely contained.

Reply 23

username207685

1

Original post by Rational Thinker

It would be in regards to human development a bad idea to meet "alien life" because whether it is hostile or not, it would almost certainly give us diseases and we would give it diseases, that both parties immune system would not be prepared for.

Most diseases have trouble jumping between different species as it is, and we are all made from the same stuff. An alien species that likely has a different biochemical makeup would be even more difficult to trade illnesses with.

Reply 24

Tom_green_day

16

This is old news. We found bacteria in space years ago, and this is barely out of the planet. Anyway, bacteria in space =/= intelligent extra-terrestrial life. This isn't proof of aliens.

Reply 25

Rational Thinker

Original post by betaglucowhat

Most diseases have trouble jumping between different species as it is, and we are all made from the same stuff. An alien species that likely has a different biochemical makeup would be even more difficult to trade illnesses with.

Considering the impact of Aids which I believe was transferred from another species (admitted one that was relatively similar to us) I don't think that the impact of potential diseases can be overstated, this is not to discourage searching for "alien life" but merely a caution that problems can arise.

Reply 26

Phteven

15

Original post by Rational Thinker

Considering the impact of Aids which I believe was transferred from another species (admitted one that was relatively similar to us) I don't think that the impact of potential diseases can be overstated, this is not to discourage searching for "alien life" but merely a caution that problems can arise.

HIV* 😩

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 27

Pinkhead

14

I'd rather read about science in science journals. Almost all of the normal newspapers use sensationalist titles and articles.

Reply 28

Rational Thinker

Original post by StephenNaulls

HIV* 😩

Posted from TSR Mobile

Conceeded, altough Aids is merely HIV in an untreated form.

Reply 29

username207685

1

Original post by Rational Thinker

Considering the impact of Aids which I believe was transferred from another species (admitted one that was relatively similar to us) I don't think that the impact of potential diseases can be overstated, this is not to discourage searching for "alien life" but merely a caution that problems can arise.

HIV is a good example. Alien life might not even use DNA, and if it did, it would almost certainly be encoded in a different way to our own, have different regulatory mechanisms, packaging, etc. HIV wouldn't know what to do with it.

I'm not saying it wouldn't be something to prepare for, but it's unlikely. Definitely not a certainty.

Original post by Pinkhead

I'd rather read about science in science journals. Almost all of the normal newspapers use sensationalist titles and articles.

You might not get that chance with this one, the Journal of Cosmology is a bit of a joke.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 30

Pinkhead

14

Original post by betaglucowhat

HIV is a good example. Alien life might not even use DNA, and if it did, it would almost certainly be encoded in a different way to our own, have different regulatory mechanisms, packaging, etc. HIV wouldn't know what to do with it.

I'm not saying it wouldn't be something to prepare for, but it's unlikely. Definitely not a certainty.

You might not get that chance with this one, the Journal of Cosmology is a bit of a joke.

Yeah the whole Hoover incident, right? The International Journal of Astrobiology is more trustworthy.

Reply 31

Rachel0

10

Original post by Rational Thinker

Conceeded, altough Aids is merely HIV in an untreated form.

AIDS is the illness (acquired immune deficiency syndrom) whereas HIV is the virus, therefore HIV is spread and the person gets AIDS as a consequence of the infection.