Dr. Race will discuss the status of science investigations in astrobiology (especially on Mars), the policy and legal issues involved in mission planning, and the societal (and ethical) issues that arise along the way. Among these issues she may consider is that of microbial contamination: both of and by astronauts carrying out interplanetary explorations and the vehicles transporting them. What are the dangers of such contamination for affected human beings, or for our own or other planets’ environments? What steps can and we and ought we to make sure that our missions do not transfer microbes from Mars to Earth, or the other way around?
Dr. Race is a biologist, with a focus on astrobiology and searches for microbial extraterrestrial life. She is a marine ecologist by training, with a PhD, from University of California, Berkeley. Her overall interests are in environmental impact analyses, invasive species, implications of new technologies (including synthetic biology and nanotech), science policy, and science communication via the mass media. She has worked on other topics at the intersection of science, technology, and policy, such as bioterrorism, quarantine and public preparedness; global warming and planetary sustainability, and planetary defense—i.e., protecting Earth from hazardous asteroids. Dr. Race is affiliated with the SETI Institute.
This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required.
For More Information
Call 404 471-5364 or e-mail
ldenis@agnesscott.edu.