Re: Scientists Find Smallest Form of Life, if It Lives

From: Michael M. Butler (butler@comp-lib.org)
Date: Wed Jan 19 2000 - 10:11:47 MST


"I wouldn't worry"? I understand the notion--but I wasn't speaking of
worry, I was speaking of precautions and their lack--a fine distinction
lost to many.

I remember how crappy the biological isolation protocols for the Moon
landings actually turned out to be. Scrub the cabin doorframe with
hexachlorophene, open the door, toss the BIGs inside, let the astronauts
suit up awash in moondust.

Sooner or later, I'm guessing the human race would be due for an
unpleasant surprise.

And perhaps I'm wrong. But I'm not "worried". Just mindful.

Dan Hook wrote:
>
> I wouldn't worry too much. It sounds like these organisms came from a
> very harsh environment. Typically, the trade offs microbes make to
> survive in such a place means that they cannot compete with "normal"
> microbes in a more friendly environment. Such is the case with bacteria
> found in hot springs, volcanoes, and Antarctica. I imagine it is probably
> the same for critters found three miles down.
>
> Dan Hook
> "So high, so low, so many things to know." -- V. Vinge
>
> On Wed, 19 Jan 2000, Michael M. Butler wrote:
>
> > And we ask the question: Are they doing this work in a Category IV
> > facility? Echo answers mournfully.
> >
> > Larry Klaes wrote:
> > >
> > > the fuzzy tangles of filaments
> > > resembled fungi and appeared to reproduce quickly, forming dense colonies of
> > > tendrils.



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