Re: SPACE: Contaminating Europa, was: Greens on Space

From: CurtAdams@aol.com
Date: Tue Mar 13 2001 - 22:34:34 MST


In a message dated 3/13/01 9:28:22 PM, spike66@attglobal.net writes:

>I figure earth-based microbes have as much chance of out-
>competing Europa microbes asEuropa microbes have of
>contaminating earth. They evolved there, they have home
>field advantage. I doubt we pose a realistic risk. spike

Well, when continental species get introduced to islands, it's sayonara
locals 9 times out of 10, and sometimes very quickly. Earth has an
enormous biosphere and bacteria at least swap genes with avidity.
I doubt Europa can match that, assuming it has any life at all, simply
as there's far less usable energy there.



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