A Bold Plan for Biodiversity Preservation
A team of scientists, led by experts at the Smithsonian, has devised an ambitious plan to cryogenically preserve Earth’s species on the moon. This plan aims to safeguard biodiversity in the event of a catastrophic disaster on Earth. The researchers propose using the moon’s permanently shadowed craters, which are naturally cold enough for cryogenic preservation without the need for electricity or liquid nitrogen, according to their recent paper published in BioScience.
Inspiration from Svalbard’s Global Seed Vault
The idea takes inspiration from the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, Norway, which houses over a million seed varieties to preserve crop diversity. While plant cells can be stored at Arctic temperatures, animal cells require even colder conditions of at least -320 degrees Fahrenheit (-196 degrees Celsius) for effective preservation. Achieving these temperatures on Earth demands a continuous supply of liquid nitrogen, electricity, and human intervention—all of which could be compromised in a global disaster. The lunar polar regions, with craters in permanent shadow, present a viable solution, maintaining temperatures as low as -410 degrees Fahrenheit (-246 degrees Celsius).
Addressing challenges and future research
The team is exploring methods to shield the DNA of preserved samples from lunar radiation, proposing storage underground or within structures made from lunar rocks. Further research is necessary to understand the impacts of radiation and microgravity on cryopreserved samples.
Mary Hagedorn, a research cryobiologist at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and the lead author of the paper, stated, “Initially, a lunar biorepository would target the most at-risk species on Earth today, but our ultimate goal would be to cryopreserve most species on Earth. We hope that by sharing our vision, our group can find additional partners to expand the conversation, discuss threats and opportunities, and conduct the necessary research and testing to make this biorepository a reality.”
Expert opinions and concerns
While the proposal has garnered interest, it also faces criticism. Rob Brooker, head of ecological sciences at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland, who was not involved in the research, acknowledges the article’s provocative nature but warns that the substantial costs could detract from ongoing conservation efforts on Earth. “The paper is an interesting and provocative article that highlights the loss of Earth’s biodiversity and the critical need to increase our efforts for nature conservation,” Brooker told CNN. However, he noted, “A major concern is that the cost and effort involved in establishing such a resource on the moon would be very substantial and would detract from ongoing conservation efforts including delivering existing international commitments and plans to protect nature.”
Sally Keith, a senior lecturer in Marine Biology at Lancaster University, shared similar concerns. “The broad approach offers an interesting thought experiment and might lead to innovative technological development, however, I am hard-pressed to see its use in the urgent fight to minimize rapid biodiversity loss,” she told CNN, adding, “How many forests, coral reefs