One of the three major questions which Astrobiology seeks
to answer is "What
is the Future of Life?" Toward that goal, we need to
consider not only how Earth-
based life might survive in space or on some other planet,
but also, and perhaps
more importantly, we need to plan for the future and survival
of life on our home
planet.
According to Andy
Knoll and Norman
Myers, that future hangs in the balance. Knoll, esteemed
paleontologist, and Myers, renowned conservation biologist,
published
a colloquium paper in Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences last year entitled, "The Biotic Crisis
and the Future of Evolution." First presented at the
National Academy of Sciences Colloquium, "The Future
of Evolution," in March 2000, the paper outlines what
the authors call 'the biotic crisis' and its potential effect
on our planet - not only a possible major extinction event,
but also a disruption of basic evolutionary processes, the
consequences of which are wholly unpredictable.
In our August 2001 interview, Dr. Knoll shared his perspective
on the subject - calling the issues into scientific consciousness,
and reminding us all of why we need to value and protect
diversity not only for our own sake, but for that of the
planet and of future generations as well.
By Daniella Scalice