Scientists propose creating a genetic biorepository on the Moon to save Earth’s biodiversity

A group of scientists proposes a repository of genetic material on the Moon to safeguard biodiversity and support future space exploration (NASA)Europa Press

He climate change creates conditions on a global scale that make life difficult for countless species of fauna and flora. increase in average annual temperaturewhich is increasingly closer to the maximum limit agreed in the Paris Agreement of 2° Cgenerated a drastic modification of the habitats of all living beings.

Because of this and the perpetuation of the unsustainable human activitiesnature in the Earth is in danger.

Faced with the imminent destabilization of ecosystems and the extinction of many of the species that make up the planet’s biodiversity, an international group of scientists has made a radical proposal: create a repository of genetic material in the Luna.

In a academic articleexperts suggest “long-term storage of prioritized taxa of living cryopreserved samples to safeguard Earth’s biodiversity and support future space exploration and terraforming of planets.”

Researchers consider the Moon as an ideal place to keep genetic materials cryopreserved away from climate change (Illustrative Image Infobae)

This means that certain tissue samples would be treated with a process of cryopreservation. It involves the freezing of living matter at temperatures between los -80 °C and -196 °C to maintain their vital functions suspended for a long period of time. This is currently done with embryos as part of the in vitro fertilization process.

“Collections of cryopreserved materials can be thawed to recover DNA, intact cells and even organisms fully functional,” the scientists said.

The motivation behind choosing the terrestrial satellite to carry out the biorepository is based on the fact that existing deposits on Earth require a constant human intervention to operate, from electricity to continuous supplies of liquid nitrogen to keep temperatures stable below 0. Because of this, any natural disaster or war conflict on a large scale could endanger their integrity.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is threatened by climate change, but there is no atmosphere on the Moon, meaning there is no such risk (Getty Images)Infobae

That is why experts consider that carrying out the conservation project on the Moon is ideal. There are areas on the satellite where the presence of people is not necessary to maintain temperatures within the values ​​required for cryopreservation.

One of the largest reservoirs is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in the Arctic. “It is a passive biorepository that keeps the seeds at -18 °C due to the natural surrounding temperature of the permafrost. The changing weather conditions threaten the stability of the Svalbard Seed Vault, but There is no atmosphere on the Moon and therefore there is no threat of climate change,” the scientists explained.

The researchers clarify that in the first instance they will focus on dealing with animal skins endangered, or that play an essential role in their food webs, and that contain fibroblasts (cells essential for the formation of connective tissue).

“Two key factors for this biorepository are the need for reduce radiation damage and keep the samples close to -196 °C. Certain lunar sites near the poles may meet these criteria,” they wrote in the paper.

Permanently shaded polar craters on the Moon offer low temperatures suitable for cell cryopreservation (NASA)

In the polar areas are found large craters which are permanently in the shade and would have temperatures low enough to keep the cells frozen. To ensure that the samples withstand the lunar environment, tests will be carried out both in laboratories and on the International Space Station. Scientists have already managed to cryopreserve successfully fins of the star goby fish (Asterropteryx semipunctata).

The presence of living tissue on the Moon could be a big step towards understanding the way space affects cells and how they behave in that environment.

Furthermore, the same samples could be used for facilitate human exploration of the galaxyas they would provide food and the biomaterials required for microbial decomposition and ecosystem engineering.

Then, beyond safeguarding terrestrial biodiversity in case different factors cause its extinction, the project would include organisms necessary for the terraformingThis process includes the modification of the atmosphere, temperature and the establishment of ecosystems. necessary for life on other planets.

The presence of living tissue on the Moon will help us understand how space affects cells and facilitate human exploration of the galaxy (NASA)Europa Press

Several exponents of science, such as the former scientific director of NASA, the Dr. James Greenthey commented on the possibility in the future of performing this procedure in Martewith the hope of making it a habitable world. However, if the trend of increasing average annual temperature continues and greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities do not cease, it may be necessary terraform the Earth itself.

This ambitious project is costly and must overcome numerous challenges which have to do with the transport of samples, radiation from space that impacts the Moon, and the effects of the microgravedad in cells. To complete it, according to scientists, It will take decades. However, if possible it would mean a step forward that could ensure continuity of thousands of terrestrial species, in addition to a new possibility for facilitate space exploration.

“We are not anticipating a total failure on Earth: if Earth is biologically destroyed, this biorepository will not matter. This is meant to help offset natural disasters and potentially increase space travel.

Life is precious and, as far as we know, rare in the Universe. This biorepository provides another parallel approach to conserving Earth’s precious biodiversity,” he concluded. Mary Hagedorna research cryobiologist at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Institute of Zoo and Conservation Biology and lead author of the paper in conversation with the University of Minnesota.