Lunar Vault: Scientists Propose Moon Biorepository to Safeguard Earth's Biodiversity
With thousands of species teetering on the brink of extinction, a team of international experts has proposed a radical solution: a lunar biorepository â a vault on the moon filled with preserved samples of Earth's most vital and endangered creatures.
This bold proposal stems from the growing concern that climate change and habitat loss are overwhelming our ability to protect species in their natural environments. A biorepository, housing preserved cells and their crucial DNA, could provide a crucial lifeline for endangered species. It could be used to bolster genetic diversity in small populations, or, in the event of extinction, to clone and revive lost species.
The concept of a global biorepository safeguarding biological samples from disaster is not new. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, located on a remote Norwegian island in the Arctic Circle, stores seeds in frozen conditions, ensuring the preservation of essential food crops in the face of disease or drought. However, recent flooding, exacerbated by rising temperatures, has shown even Svalbard is vulnerable to climate change.
"Had there not been people there, flooding could have damaged the biorepository," said Dr Mary Hagedorn, lead author of the proposal and researcher at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. She also highlighted the threat of war, citing the destruction of Ukraine's seed bank in 2022. "The idea of having a truly secure, passive biorepository for safeguarding Earth's biodiversity seems like a very good idea."
The proposed lunar biorepository, detailed in the journal *BioScience*, would be situated beyond the reach of Earth-bound disasters, including climate change and geopolitical conflicts. The moon's naturally frigid environment would ensure samples remain frozen year-round without the need for human intervention or energy sources. Deep craters near the lunar poles, permanently shielded from sunlight, offer the ideal ultra-low temperature of -196°C necessary for long-term preservation suitable for future cloning.
"For cloning to be an option, you need living cells," explained Dr Beth Shapiro, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz and chief science officer of the de-extinction company Colossal Biosciences. She emphasizes that while cloning a woolly mammoth from DNA fragments is impossible, de-extinction is feasible with properly stored tissue samples that maintain cell viability.
Establishing a lunar biorepository would present numerous challenges, but biology isn't the primary concern. Hagedorn's team has already successfully preserved living cells from the starry goby fish using cryopreservation, a technique that halts biological activity by storing cells at extremely low temperatures. While not endangered, the starry goby plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of coral reef ecosystems.
The proposed repository would prioritize species with essential functions in their environments and food webs, particularly those facing imminent extinction. These carefully chosen samples could potentially be used to reintroduce extinct populations to Earth or even to terraform other planets.
Hagedorn believes the lunar biorepository is achievable, though perhaps not within our lifetimes. "We know how to do this, we can do this, and we will do this," she stated. "But it may take decades to finally achieve."
While critics may argue that resources should be focused on preserving species before they become extinct, Hagedorn asserts that both strategies are necessary to ensure the maximum conservation of biodiversity.
"When we think linearly, and not in parallel, we get in trouble. If you say, âIâm going to do it this way, and it doesnât work, whatâs plan B?â" she emphasized.
Crucial next steps include developing space-resistant packaging for cryopreserved samples and devising a logistical system for transporting them to the moon. Hagedorn envisions a future where frequent lunar trips for resource exploration could include the delivery of small parcels containing thousands of cryopreserved samples.
While many aspects of the proposal remain in the realm of science fiction, the scientists hope their work will spark excitement, foster new ideas, and attract international partners. They also anticipate a degree of controversy, highlighting the extreme measures necessary to protect Earth's precious biodiversity.
