Contribution to the development of a European Space Exploration Strategy

1. Contribution to the development of a European Space Exploration Strategy Division of Ethics of Science and Technology First roundtable discussion ESTEC, 9 March 2005 Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

2. UNESCO and Space • Ethics of Outer Space Programme • Space Education Programme • Disaster Management System Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

3. Bioethics Environmental ethics Science ethics Ethics of outer space Ethics Education programme Global Ethics Observatory Ethics Around the World UNESCO and Ethics Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

4. UNESCO and Ethics:Bioethics • International Bioethics Committee, Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee, Interagency Committee on Bioethics • Universal Declaration on Human Genome and Human Rights – 1997 • International Declaration on Human Genetic data – 2003 • Declaration on universal norms in Bioethics – 2005? Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

5. UNESCO and Ethics: Environmental ethics • World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) • Recommendations on Fresh Water and Energy (2001) • Towards a Declaration on ethical principles for a sustainable use of the environment (2009) Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

6. UNESCO and Ethics: Science Ethics • COMEST • Towards a code of ethics for scientists? (2009) • The World Conference for Science – 1999 • The concern on terrorism – 2001 • Feasibility study – 2007? Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

7. UNESCO and Ethics:Ethics of Outer Space • Recommendations of COMEST and Pompidou report (1999/2001) • Development of ethics of outer space both as a scientific discipline and civic discourse • Involvement of the space and academic communities • Emphasis on awareness-raising and education both within and outside the space community • Non feasiblity of an international instrument Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

8. UNESCO and ESA • ESA initiated the work of COMEST on space and co-published the Report « The ethics of space policy » (1999) • Symposium on Astronauts – 25 October 2004 • Ethical Working Group on Planetary Protection and Exobiology – Since May 2004 Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

9. A subject of public debate A pioneering mind? What for? The exploitation scenario Extraterrestrial ecologism Extraterrestrial bioethics Intellectual property For whom? Do astronauts have a life? A new human habitat? Ethical Issues about Space Exploration Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

10. Ethics of Space Exploration: for a Public Debate • Space exploration is of concern to everyone because of: • Its costs • Its risks • Its benefits • Its phantasy Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

11. Ethics of Space exploration:A pioneering mind? • The human adventure: from Africa to the Moon • Limits of this notion • Are great discoveries such a glorious example? • Emptiness of space • Limits of the earth Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

12. Ethics of Space Exploration:To What Purpose? • The glorification of the pionneering mind does not seem sufficient… • … But is the scientific research the only motive and interest? • The American example allows to question this view • The Keynesian effect Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

13. Ethics of Space Exploration: the Exploitation Scenario • The legal quarrel about exploitation • What would be the economic rationale? • Natural resources • Some room • Ways to exploit celestial bodies: for production, tourism, scientific research? • Using local life? Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

14. Ethics of Space Exploration:Extraterrestrial Ecologism • How should we treat ET life? • Use of environmental ethics principles: • Precautionary principle • Respect for life • Burden of proof principle • The idea of a moratorium and the possibility of an isolation Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

15. Ethics of Space Exploration:Extraterrestrial Bioethics • Genetic engineering in microgravity will raise specific issues • What about possible genetic ET material? (Jurassic Park meets E.T.!) • Genetic selection of astronauts Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

16. Ethics of Space Exploration:Intellectual Property • Innovation in outer space: foreseeable issues • Scientific discoveries on celestial bodies – existing guidelines may not be sufficient • The issue does not concern civil servants but… Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

17. Ethics of Space Exploration:for whom? • The benefit of all mankind… • Star Trek vs. Star Wars • Are all space travellers really envoys of mankind? • If space travellers have rights, things get more complicated • IP, misbehaviors, cultural differences Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

18. Ethics of Space Exploration:Do Astronauts have a Life? • The selection process • Privacy • Isolation • Communication • Comfort • Risk Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

19. The Ethics of Space Exploration:A New Human Habitat? • Distant (?) prospect of colonization: • Which rules do apply? • When do you stop being a terrestrial? (see Asimov) • Ethical issue of terraforming • Very close effects of this distant prospect • Limits of our planet and phantasy of emigration • Does space exploration divert us? Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

20. Some Ideas of Recommendations • The participative approach • Reinforce information program and public debate • Clarify the motives and the interests • Undertake economical studies • Be careful with the « pionneer » rhetoric • Give guarantees to space travellers • .. And to ETs • A way to solve terrestrial problems Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy

21. Thank you Division of Ethics of Science and Technology J.tort@unesco.org http://www.unesco.org/ethics Division of Ethics of Science and Technology Contribution to European Exploration Strategy