Scientists Plan Lunar ‘Life Bank’ to Save Earth’s Dying Species

Humans are eyeing the Moon with great anticipation, envisioning it as a base for future space exploration and even a stepping stone to Mars. Now, an intriguing new plan aims to leverage the Moon to save endangered species. Scientists propose creating a “biorepository” on the Moon, housing frozen biological material from various species.

This plan involves cryogenically freezing DNA, seeds, spores, and even cells or tissues using liquid nitrogen. These frozen samples would then be transported to the Moon on a rocket and stored at its north and south poles, where temperatures range from -180 to -230 degrees Celsius. This extreme cold would keep the materials preserved until humans develop methods to revive the species.

With over one million species currently at risk of extinction, this concept offers a potential solution for their preservation.

 

Why choose the Moon over Earth?

The Moon’s extreme temperatures make it an ideal location for storing these specimens without the need for artificial cooling systems, which would be costly on Earth. Once the specimens are on the Moon, no additional expenses would be necessary for their maintenance.

Additionally, the Moon is free from natural disasters and human interference, reducing risks of ownership disputes, contamination, and degradation. Thick layers of lunar regolith would also protect the samples from radiation.

This initiative aligns with humanity’s long-term goals of colonizing the Moon and advancing further into space. The project would enhance cryopreservation techniques and improve our understanding of cosmic radiation’s effects on biological materials, aiding future space travel.

As part of this endeavor, scientists have already frozen fin samples from the starry goby fish. These samples are helping researchers identify the challenges of preserving life in space’s harsh conditions. Eventually, these frozen specimens will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to directly experience space’s extreme environment.