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| Hi, I'm Dee! |
A TRIP TO MARS!
My job is very, very important for humans! Mars, aka the Red Planet, is the fourth planet in solar system but scientists plan to make it into a new Earth. What does this mean? Making a new planet from an existing planet is called terraforming. With the help of many astronauts and scientists you might be able to visit a new planet instead of a new country or state!
But Mars isn't ready for exploration just yet! Its average temperature is -76 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that ice forms at 32 degrees Fahrenheit! Also, it has no oxygen in its atmosphere. How are humans supposed to breathe?! Because of Mars' low atmosphere and lack of an ozone layer, ultraviolet light constantly scorches the ground. (1) This ultraviolet light is so strong it can destroy life! And if that wasn't enough, Mars' soil is also toxic to any potential visitors.
It's impossible for humans to survive on Mars in its current state but that's where I come in!
DEE'S JOB
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| The surface of Mars. We've got a long way to go before living here! |
You'll need somebody-or something- super strong to be the first visitor to Mars! That bacteria is me! Because I'm so tough scientists want to use my DNA to change Mars.
Naturally, I live in very inhospitable environments on Earth, especially places with low oxygen. I'm a rare bacterium but I've been known to grow in Antartica, on surgical tools that are radiation-sterilized and even in sewage! I also have the ability to heal myself! If my DNA gets destroyed by nasty sun rays on Mars, I can simply use my repair proteins to fix myself up. And I even store multiple copies of my genes on chromosomes in my body. (2) I'm obviously the perfect candidate!
Scientists are still preparing me for my space trip though. Before I can go anywhere I have to be "trained" to detoxify the soil. If Mars' soil is less toxic, organic life can begin to grow! This means bacteria, amoebas and other microbes will evolve to thrive on Mars from bacteria like me. Once the soil is detoxified Mars' surface will be more hospitable to humans!
To train me, scientists want to genetically modify my DNA. This means they'll change my DNA in a way that allows me to focus on cleaning up Mars soil. For example, I could be trained to eat heavy metals and radioactive substances! (3)
A WHOLE NEW PLANET
Although I can't do everything to fix Mars, my job is very important! Without clean and safe soil no plants will be able to grow. Can you imagine a world without trees or grass? Once my job is done, scientists can use other methods to create a stronger ozone layer!
If I work hard enough one day Mars could be the new Earth! With a terraformed Mars, humanity could grow more food for rising populations, have new houses and more. The possibilities are endless!
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| Mars is ready for terraforming! |
References
1. Bailey, R. (2012) Does mars have rights? Reason, 43, 42-43.
2. Skelly, J. (2015) The microbes so extreme the might survive on Mars. BBC Earth. http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20151221-the-microbes-so-extreme-they-might-survive-on-mars
3. Slotnick, R. (2000) Extremophilic terraforming. American Scientist, 88 (2), 124-125.
4. Pokemon Solosis Variations [Illustration] (2015). Retrieved from: https://pokemon-variations.tumblr.com/post/124227273417/spaded-square-solosis-the-cell
5. The Bonneville Crater on Mar [Photograph] (2017). Retrieved from: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mars-surface-may-be-toxic-bacteria-180963966/
6. Vector-Cartoon Mars [Illustration] (N/A). Retrieved from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_46280119_stock-vector-cartoon-mars-character-isolated-on-white.html
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