Moon-Based Cryogenic Biorepository: A Safeguard for Earth's Imperiled Biodiversity

Imagine a world where the extinction of species is a thing of the past. Scientists at the Smithsonian have proposed a revolutionary plan to cryogenically preserve biological material on the moon, ensuring the safeguarding of Earth's imperiled biodiversity.

A Lunar Biorepository: The Ultimate Backup

The moon's permanently shadowed craters provide a natural environment for cryogenic preservation, without the need for electricity or liquid nitrogen. This innovative idea takes inspiration from the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, Norway, which stores more than 1 million frozen seed varieties as a backup for the world's crop biodiversity.

A Solution to the Vulnerabilities of Cryopreservation

On Earth, cryopreservation of animal cells requires a supply of liquid nitrogen, electricity, and human staff. These elements are vulnerable to disruptions that could destroy an entire collection. The moon's cold temperatures, however, can passively maintain cryopreservation storage temperatures, reducing the risks associated with Earth-based storage.

The Successful Cryopreservation of Skin Samples

The research team has successfully cryopreserved skin samples from a reef fish called the starry goby. These samples, stored at the National Museum of Natural History, demonstrate the feasibility of cryopreserving biological material for future use.

The Advantages of Fibroblasts

Fibroblasts, a type of skin cell, have several advantages over other types of commonly cryopreserved cells such as sperm, eggs, and embryos. They can be easily collected from an animal's skin, and science can reliably preserve them. This makes fibroblasts an ideal choice for cryopreservation.

Next Steps: Radiation Exposure Tests and Experiments

The research team is set to begin a series of radiation exposure tests for the cryopreserved fibroblasts on Earth. These tests will help design packaging that can safely deliver samples to the moon. The team is actively seeking partners and support to conduct additional experiments on Earth and aboard the International Space Station.

A Public Entity for Cooperative Governance

The proposed lunar biorepository is envisioned as a public entity, inclusive of public and private funders, scientific partners, countries, and public representatives. This cooperative governance model will ensure the biorepository is a collaborative effort to conserve Earth's biodiversity.

A Parallel Approach to Conserving Biodiversity

This lunar biorepository is not a replacement for conservation efforts on Earth, but rather a parallel approach to conserving biodiversity. It provides an additional safeguard against natural disasters and potentially augments space travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ultimate goal of the lunar biorepository?

The ultimate goal is to cryopreserve most species on Earth, providing a backup for the world's biodiversity in the event of a global disaster.

What types of biological material will be stored?

The initial focus will be on the most at-risk species on Earth, with the potential to expand to other species in the future. Fibroblasts, skin cells, and other reproductive materials will be stored, depending on the species.

How will the biorepository be governed?

The biorepository will be a public entity, with cooperative governance mechanisms in place to ensure collaborative decision-making and management.

Conclusion

The proposed lunar biorepository has the potential to revolutionize the conservation of Earth's biodiversity. By cryogenically preserving biological material on the moon, we can ensure the safeguarding of species for future generations. This innovative approach is a crucial step towards protecting our planet's precious biodiversity.