Problem
Introduction of extraterrestrial infectious diseases and bacteria
Nature:
Organic debris from comets have started life on earth, dominated evolution and are responsible for the waves of disease which sweep the planet. Organic compounds have been discovered in the tail of Halley's Comet some of which are about the size of viruses and others of which could be desiccated bacteria. As the earth passes through the tail of a comet some of the material penetrates the atmosphere. Particles the size of bacteria may take a few weeks to fall through the air, particles the size of viruses may take 10 years or more to descend. Broader Problems:
Disease vectorsAirborne diseasesHazards to human healthDisasters of extraterrestrial origin Related Problems:
Inadequate disease vector control Aggravates:
Conspiracy theories References:
Hoyle, Fred, et al: Viruses from Space Subject(s):
Biosciences → BacteriologyMedicine → Pathology
Transportation, Telecommunications → Aerospace, space
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems Date of last update
01.01.2000 – 00:00 CET