title: The detection of extra-terrestrial life and the consequences for science and society.
abstract: Astronomers are now able to detect planets orbiting stars other than the Sun where life may exist, and living generations could see the signatures of extra-terrestrial life being detected. Should it turn out that we are not alone in the Universe, it will fundamentally affect how humanity understands itself--and we need to be prepared for the consequences. A Discussion Meeting held at the Royal Society in London, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, on 25-26 January 2010, addressed not only the scientific but also the societal agenda, with presentations covering a large diversity of topics.
authors.affiliation: SUPA, University of St Andrews, School of Physics and Astronomy, North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9SS, UK. md35@st-andrews.ac.uk
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dominik
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Zarnecki
mesh_terms: D018559:Exobiology / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods*; D011057:Politics; D012586:Science; D012945:Social Values