In a groundbreaking initiative, a group of scientists led by the Smithsonian has proposed creating a cryogenic biorepository on the moon to safeguard Earth’s species. This visionary plan, detailed in a recent Bio Science journal publication, aims to preserve biological material in lunar craters that are permanently shadowed and cold enough for cryogenic storage without the need for electricity or liquid nitrogen.
Mary Hagedorn, a research cryobiologist at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) and lead author of the paper, explained that the biorepository would initially focus on the most at-risk species on Earth. “Our ultimate goal would be to cryopreserve most species on Earth,” Hagedorn stated. The initiative draws inspiration from the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, Norway, which safeguards crop diversity but faces climate change threats, such as the 2017 meltwater flood.
The lunar biorepository concept leverages the extremely low temperatures in the moon’s polar craters, which can drop to -410 degrees Fahrenheit (-246 degrees Celsius). These temperatures surpass the cold needed for storing animal cells, which require at least -320 degrees Fahrenheit (-196 degrees Celsius). The moon’s environment could provide a passive cryopreservation solution, eliminating the reliance on liquid nitrogen, electricity, and human oversight, all of which could be compromised during global disasters.
Radiation protection for the samples is a significant concern. The research team suggests storing samples underground or within structures made from lunar rocks to mitigate radiation damage. However, further studies are necessary to understand the effects of radiation and microgravity on cryopreserved materials.
While the proposal is innovative, it has sparked debate within the scientific community. Rob Brooker, head of ecological sciences at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland, acknowledged the article’s importance but raised concerns about the feasibility and potential diversion of resources from existing conservation efforts. Sally Keith, a senior lecturer in Marine Biology at Lancaster University, echoed these concerns, highlighting the substantial costs and questioning the practicality of this approach in addressing the urgent biodiversity crisis on Earth.
Despite the challenges, Hagedorn emphasizes the potential benefits: “This biorepository provides another, parallel approach to conserving Earth’s precious biodiversity.” The project aims not only to offset natural disasters but also to support future space travel endeavors.
As the conversation around this lunar biorepository continues, it underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to preserve Earth’s biodiversity amid growing environmental threats. Whether this ambitious lunar project will become a reality remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly opens new avenues for discussion and research in conservation science.