[meteorite-list] Panspermia and Mars back contamination

[E.P. Grondine]

Hi all - 

One of the big reasons for the push behind panspermia comes from the usual manned Mars flight nuts who hope to wish away the back-contamination problem.
One can read Zubrin or his followers to see examples this kind of wishful hand waving and jumping and shouting (Fearing the Dragons).

But Mars will have to be shown to harbor no pathogens or life before manned Mars flight with return is permitted, in my opinion. The possible consequences otherwise are a show stopper.

E.P. Grondine
Man and Impact in the Americas