Should we find and contact aliens?

Contacting aliens, if not prepared carefully, could lead to consequences that we cannot control - Illustration: AI

Recently, an international research team at the University of Cambridge announced the discovery of biological signatures, dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) gases on planet K2-18b - about 120 light years from Earth.

On Earth, these gases are produced by living organisms, mainly microorganisms such as seaweed. This suggests that K2-18b may be teeming with microorganisms.

This information has attracted the attention of the scientific community, raising the belief that there is indeed extraterrestrial life. However, the question of whether we should actively contact extraterrestrial civilizations remains a controversial topic.

Proponents argue that humans can learn much from more advanced civilizations , especially in technology and science.

Seth Shostak, scientific director of the SETI Institute (USA), emphasized that searching for and establishing contact with aliens can bring many benefits to research and solve global problems such as climate change.

Jill Tarter, one of the founders of the SETI Institute, shares a similar view. According to Tarter, the opportunity to discover extraterrestrial life should not be missed, because it could help us better understand the existence of species in the universe. She believes that humans may regret not acting when they had the chance.

However, many scientists warn of potential risks. Stephen Hawking once warned of the threats of contacting extraterrestrial civilizations.

He believes that a more advanced civilization might regard us as inferior creatures. What we get in return might not be a friendly handshake like in the movies, but rather an invasion or exploitation of Earth's resources.

Avi Loeb, a professor at Harvard University, also expressed doubts about the idea of ​​contacting extraterrestrial civilizations. He emphasized that space exploration is very important, but if humans approach alien creatures too soon, this could lead to conflicts that we have never thought of before.

Although new discoveries of extraterrestrial life open up many research opportunities, contacting extraterrestrial civilizations remains a matter of deep discussion and should be done with the utmost caution.

Space research is still important

The conflicting views on whether to actively search for and contact extraterrestrial life reflect concerns about the potential impact on humans.

However, no matter what we decide, continued research and exploration of the universe will help find answers, not only about extraterrestrial life but also about humanity's very existence in the vast universe.

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MINH HAI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chung-ta-co-nen-tim-va-lien-lac-voi-nguoi-ngoai-hanh-tinh-20250419145131564.htm