Should We Develop a Unique Terminology for Alien Lifeforms?

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The discussion centers on the necessity of developing unique terminology for alien lifeforms to prevent confusion with Earth-based biology. Participants express concerns about the potential for misclassification and the complications arising from overlapping definitions, especially if extraterrestrial organisms share similarities with Earth life. Suggestions include using a mathematical system or a completely different language for classification to avoid the pitfalls of human language. The conversation also touches on the challenges of confirming the origins of any discovered life, emphasizing the need for rigorous empirical evidence. Overall, establishing a clear and distinct nomenclature for alien life is deemed essential to avoid future scientific disputes.
  • #31
stefan r said:
The organisms found on the ISS weren't tardigrades. Although water bears have been actually tested and found to survive in space.
 
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  • #32
p1l0t said:
So there is a 'bacteria' or some kind of microbial life that lives on the ISS. It lives in the harsh space enviornment. Everyone wants to know whether it came from Earth (and evolved?) or whether it came from an extraterrestrial source. While I too want to know where it traces back to... Part of me says WHO CARES!? There is LIFE in SPACE. It IS possible. That said I certainly hope we are not alone and have to spread across the Universe ourselves because it seems a bit lonely in something so vast it's seemingly infinite.
As far as we know though, space near Earth does not have indigenous life.
The fact that some bacteria and other simple Earth organisms can survive for a while n space doesn't really help.
Humans and other higher animals (and plants). cannot exist in space for more than a year or so without artificial life support,
 

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