Evaluating the Biological Potential in Samples Returned from Planetary Satellites and Small Solar System Bodies Framework for Decision Making (1998) / Chapter Skim
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7 Considering the Potential Risks from Returned Samples
7 Considering the Potential Risks from Returned Samples
Pages 69-74
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From page 69... ...
Indeed, based on the systematic approach developed for use in its own study, the Task Group on Sample Return from Small Solar System Bodies found that the 1997 Mars report's recommendations concerning containment and handling of returned samples constituted a suitably strong framework for guiding its deliberations about the need for containment of samples returned from planetary satellites and small solar system bodies. In recognition of the diverse types and environmental conditions of small solar system bodies considered in this study, the task group adopted a conservative, case-by-case approach (see "Scope and Approach of This Study" in Chapter 1)
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From page 70... ...
LIKELIHOOD OF FINDING AND INCLUDING A LIVING ORGANISM IN SAMPLES FROM DIFFERENT SOLAR SYSTEM BODIES In the absence of direct evidence of extraterrestrial life forms, consideration needs to be given to the nature of putative life forms based on analysis of terrestrial analogs and biochemical possibilities. Based on current knowledge of the geophysical and geochemical properties of various solar system bodies and contemporary views on the range of conditions under which life can originate, the conditions required for the preservation of metabolically active organisms in terrestrial environments, and the somewhat different conditions needed to preserve living organisms in a dormant form (see discussion in Chapter 1)
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From page 71... ...
The risks of pathogenicity from putative life forms on small bodies are considered extremely low, because it is highly unlikely that such extraterrestrial organisms could have evolved pathogenic traits in the absence of host organisms. However, because there are examples of opportunistic pathogens from terrestrial and aquatic environments that have not co-evolved with their hosts, the task group cannot say that the risk is zero.
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From page 72... ...
The requirements for strict containment should apply to all relevant mission activities, starting with collection of materials and separation from the target body, through en route transport of the samples, and ultimately to continued quarantine on Earth at an appropriate receiving facility until comprehensive testing is completed. The prospect of eventually returning samples from diverse bodies throughout the solar system underscores the need for a specialized sample return facility dedicated to the study and detection of life in extreme environments.
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From page 73... ...
SUMMARY For samples returned from planetary satellites and small solar system bodies that warrant containment, the concerns about biohazards or large-scale adverse effects on Earth are similar to those identified earlier for Mars (NRC, 1997~. The task group found that the risks of pathogenicity from putative life forms are considered extremely low, because it is highly unlikely that extraterrestrial organisms could have evolved pathogenic traits in the absence of host organisms.
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From page 74... ...
1998. Workshop report on Mars sample return protocols.
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