The latest edition of the Philosophical Transactions journal, published by the British scientific society Royal Society, has issued a warning that governments around the world should prepare for a potential encounter with an extraterrestrial civilization that could potentially be hostile.
In this month’s issue, which is dedicated entirely to the topic of extraterrestrial life, the publication argues that if the process of evolution follows Darwinian patterns throughout the universe, as it does on Earth, then any forms of life that come into contact with humans could potentially „share their tendency towards violence and exploitation of resources.“
For this reason, scientists are calling for the United Nations (UN) to establish a task force dedicated to „extraterrestrial affairs“ with the ability to design a plan of action in the event of contact with alien beings.
„We must be prepared for the worst-case scenario“ in the event of encountering an extraterrestrial civilization, warns Simon Conway Morris, a professor of evolutionary paleobiology at the University of Cambridge, who believes that biological life throughout the universe must have similar characteristics to those on Earth.
Morris believes that if intelligent aliens do exist, they „must be similar to us,“ something that, given humanity’s less than glorious history, should give us pause for thought. Additionally, professors John Zarnecki from the Open University and Martin Dominik from the University of St Andrews are calling for a „responsible“ plan led by experts and scientists to prevent the influence of power and opportunism in the event of extraterrestrial contact.
The potential lack of coordination that would likely occur in this hypothetical scenario must be avoided, according to these scientists, through the creation of a „comprehensive framework“ that would emerge from a „truly global effort governed by a politically legitimate group.“
In conclusion, the idea of preparing for a potential encounter with extraterrestrial life may seem like science fiction, but as our understanding of the universe expands, it is becoming an increasingly relevant topic for discussion among scientists and policymakers alike. The need for a responsible and coordinated approach to such a scenario is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of humanity in the face of the unknown.