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Mapping Weak Signals

Inspired by: RTOs » Life-form thriving on arsenic was discovered on Earth

version: 1 / created: 2010-12-06
id: #1205 / version id: #1205
mode: VIEW

Originally submitted by: Aharon Hauptman
List of all contributors by versions (mouse over)
Last changed by: Aharon Hauptman
WI-WE status:
submitted unpublished

Source of inspiration

Research and technology organisations (incl. universities)

The source of the Weak Signal is

NASA, Dec 2, 2010: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/astrobiology_toxic_chemical.html

Signal's headline

(max. 9 words)
Life-form thriving on arsenic was discovered on Earth

Signal's description

(approx. 150 words)
Please describe the Weak Signal (approx. 150 words)
NASA-funded research discovered microorganisms on Earth (in Mono Lake, California), able to thrive and reproduce using the toxic chemical arsenic. According to NASA, this finding of an alternative biochemistry makeup will alter biology textbooks and expand the scope of the search for life beyond Earth. It has changed the fundamental knowledge about what comprises all known life on Earth, and increases the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life.

Keywords

Space, life, biology, exobiology, toxic, NASA, extraterrestrial

Mini-description

(max. 250 characters)
NASA-funded research discovered microorganisms on Earth able to thrive using the toxic chemical arsenic. This has changed the fundamental knowledge about what comprises all known life on Earth, and increases the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life.

Signal's first apperance

2005-now

Signal's potential evolution

It could lead to...
issue type of issue/development potential impact on society timeframe for the issue to become at least 50% probable
#1 Discovery of extraterrestrial life continuation
 		mainly beneficial
 		now-2050

Under what assumption the Weak Signal might evolve.

More research about possibilities of life to evolve in harsh environments that previously were considered as impossible to support life.

Importance

please specify
please select
Level 3: important for the European Union
Level 4: important for the whole world

Filters preventing the signal's monitoring

information/communicational filters (media/editorial interests, language, reasoning)
cultural/religious filters (values, traditions, faith, spiritual beliefs)
affective filters (emotions, anxiety, self-doubt)
scientific filters (knowledge/technology access)

Key driving forces of this signal

Please use these boxes to provide up to 2 drivers of HIGH importance. Click on HELP to see examples:
Driver 1 Driver 2
Technological/Scientific biology and exobiology research

Signal's relevance for European Grand Challenges

where? please justify:
particularly relevant Europe world
Diseases, health and well-being Possibility of yet unknown microorganisms
Techno-security, hazard & risk

Signal's relevance for thematic research areas

please justify:
particularly relevant
Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology
Space
Science in society

Pan-European strategies influencing the signal

please justify:
particularly relevant
Strengthening research institutions and universities
Facilitating and promoting knowledge sharing and transfer
Fostering and facilitating coherent international cooperation in science and technology