Abstract
The author plays with three interconnected concepts: off-Earth bioethics, xenobioethics, and the ethical considerations surrounding the disposal of a cosmonaut's corpse. Off-Earth bioethics involves ethical considerations related to recruiting and monitoring astronauts, while xenobioethics deals with the ethical challenges of encountering extraterrestrial life. The author argues that it is important to develop a non-speciesist standard of personhood that can accommodate the possibility of intelligent extraterrestrial life. Finally, the author ponders the disposal of a cosmonaut's corpse in a space mission, arguing that this process must prioritise the crew's morale and consider the potential environmental impact of different disposal methods. Overall, the role of bioethics will be crucial in shaping humanity's future as a galactic sinner or a reliable cosmic stakeholder.
TopIntroduction
This chapter continues the exploration of ethical implications in future scenarios, linking back to the discussion on surrogate realities from last chapter but extended to off-Earth bioethics. This chapter raises important questions about collecting genetic information for occupational surveillance and research, highlighting the potential benefits and risks associated with personalised drugs and enhancements. Moving beyond the individual, this chapter examines the bioethical dilemmas we face regarding life itself in outer space.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Extraterrestrial Life: Life forms that originate from beyond Earth, including but not limited to aliens.
Terraforming: The process of deliberately modifying the environment of another planet or moon to make it habitable for Earth-like life forms.
Alien Life: Non-indigenous Earth life.
Ecopoiesis: Creating sustainable ecosystems on lifeless planets or within contained environments, offering ethical alternatives to terraforming.
Off-Earth Bioethics: Bioethics to be applied in extraterrestrial environments, beyond the confines of Earth and commonly addressed to space exploration.
Person: A being with rights and responsibilities.
Xenobioethics: Bioethics applied to alien life, including personhood, communication, and coexistence.
Life: A system far from equilibrium that actively uses information for self-preservation and belonging (e.g., to a species, family, etc.).
Panspermia: The idea that life exists throughout the universe and can spread through space from one place to another.