East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Astrobiology. 2012 Nov;12(11):1017-23. doi: 10.1089/ast.2012.0891. Epub 2012 Oct 24.
With the recognition of an increasing potential for discovery of extraterrestrial life, a diverse set of researchers have noted a need to examine the foundational ethical principles that should frame our collective space activities as we explore outer space. A COSPAR Workshop on Ethical Considerations for Planetary Protection in Space Exploration was convened at Princeton University on June 8-10, 2010, to examine whether planetary protection measures and practices should be extended to protect planetary environments within an ethical framework that goes beyond "science protection" per se. The workshop had been in development prior to a 2006 NRC report on preventing the forward contamination of Mars, although it responded directly to one of the recommendations of that report and to several peer-reviewed papers as well. The workshop focused on the implications and responsibilities engendered when exploring outer space while avoiding harmful impacts on planetary bodies. Over 3 days, workshop participants developed a set of recommendations addressing the need for a revised policy framework to address "harmful contamination" beyond biological contamination, noting that it is important to maintain the current COSPAR planetary protection policy for scientific exploration and activities. The attendees agreed that there is need for further study of the ethical considerations used on Earth and the examination of management options and governmental mechanisms useful for establishing an environmental stewardship framework that incorporates both scientific input and enforcement. Scientists need to undertake public dialogue to communicate widely about these future policy deliberations and to ensure public involvement in decision making. A number of incremental steps have been taken since the workshop to implement some of these recommendations.
随着对外星生命发现潜力的认识不断提高，许多研究人员注意到，在探索外层空间时，我们需要审视应作为我们集体空间活动基础的基本伦理原则。2010 年 6 月 8 日至 10 日，在普林斯顿大学举行了一次关于空间探索中行星保护的伦理考虑因素的 COSPAR 研讨会，以探讨行星保护措施和做法是否应扩大到在超越保护科学本身的伦理框架内保护行星环境。虽然该研讨会是直接针对 2006 年 NRC 关于防止火星向前污染的报告中的一项建议以及几项同行评议的论文作出回应而发展起来的，但它也是在该报告之前就开始筹备的。研讨会的重点是在探索外层空间的同时避免对行星体造成有害影响所产生的影响和责任。在 3 天的时间里，研讨会的参与者制定了一系列建议，提出需要修订政策框架，以解决超越生物污染的“有害污染”问题，并指出维护当前 COSPAR 行星保护政策以促进科学探索和活动是很重要的。与会者一致认为，需要进一步研究在地球上使用的伦理考虑因素，并审查对建立既包含科学投入又包含执法的环境管理框架有用的管理选项和政府机制。科学家需要进行公众对话，广泛宣传这些未来的政策审议，并确保公众参与决策。自研讨会以来，已经采取了一些渐进的步骤来实施其中的一些建议。
