As astronomers use more powerful technologies to search for alien life in the universe, experts warn that an alien contact might not be good for life on earth. Leading researchers say that top organizations should have more action plans in place. However, they also state the benefits if the extraterrestrial creatures are friendly
'There's a possibility that if we actively message, with the intention of getting the attention of an intelligent civilization, that the civilization we contact would not necessarily have our best interests in mind,' Lucianne Walkowicz, an astrophysicist at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, says. In fact, she stresses that making contact could be catastrophic for the human race. On the other hand, there might be great benefits as well.
Alien contact could be something that ends life on Earth, but it might also be something that accelerates the quality of life on Earth. We really have no way of knowing. Another person who believes we're playing a dangerous game by trying to contact them is Stephen Hawking
The physicist believes if aliens make contact with Earth, they are more likely to want to colonize the planet. He describes an alien visit much like when Columbus landed in America. It certainly did not turn out well for the Native Americans, he recently said in an interview, the Daily Star reports.
On the other hand, co-founder and former director of the Seti Institute, Jill Tarter, thinks the opposite is more likely to happen. Any aliens who have managed to travel across the universe will be sophisticated enough and would likely be friendly and peaceful, she argues.
According to the Daily Mail, Seth Shostak, leading expert in detecting radio signals from extraterrestrial civilisations, says that more needs to be done to put an action plan in place.He compares our current response to aliens to the Neanderthals having a plan in case the US Air Force showed up. In the 1980s, basic protocols for first contact were put in place, but they're merely guidelines, and not action plans for dealing with alien contact.
